38 BRITISH BIKDS. [vol. xv. 



something in the behaviour of the Merganser sadly upsets 

 the temper of its fellow-creatures. 



Two other species I should like to mention- — the Buffel- 

 headed Duck {Bucephala albeola) and the Surf-Scoter {Oidemia 

 perspicillata) , since they have both, on several occasions,, 

 favoured our shores with a visit. In the North Pacific, the 

 Buffel-head is extremely common during the colder months, 

 of the year, going about in flocks of from ten to fifteen 

 individuals, and visiting the bays and inlets of the coast in 

 large numbers. It is, however, equally partial to fresh water, 

 and may be found on most of the inland lakes of Vancouver 

 Island throughout the winter. A small species — about the 

 same size as our Teal [Querquedula crecca)- — the Buffel-head, 

 is an expert diver, its food, so far as I have been able to 

 determine, consisting chiefly of the soft green seaweed that 

 grows in the more shallow parts of the bay, and less frequently, 

 I fancy, small crustaceans. I have never seen it eat fish. 

 A rapid bobbing of the head is the male's method of display, 

 the female responding in a similar manner. 



The Surf-Scoter, in his rich black plumage, relieved by a 

 bright orange-red bill and patches of vivid white on nape and 

 forehead, is a very handsome creature, and, like the last- 

 named species, extremely abundant. It is found, as a rule, 

 in huge flocks in company with the Scaup and White-winged 

 Scoter {Oidemia deglandi), passing the daylight hours asleep 

 on the surface. At such times, owing to the turn of the head 

 and neck, the white patch on the nape shows prominently at 

 the front, giving the bird a very peculiar appearance ; and 

 one can only wonder what useful purpose, if any, this strange 

 ornament is intended to serve. When displajnng, the male 

 Surf-Scoter swims rapidly to and fro, keeping head and neck 

 erect, and at intervals dipping its beak into the water. Should 

 several males be present, the female swims from one to the 

 other, bowing her head, or darting, occasionally, at some 

 undesirable suitor. 



Though my observations on the ducks may cover no new 

 ground, they deal, at all events, with the strange habits of 

 many interesting species which few students of bird-life 

 have the opportunity of studying for themselves ; and there 

 is always the possibility that even a single stray note, of no 

 apparent importance, may prove to be the one vital link in a 

 chain of evidence concerning the life-history of a particular 

 species. 



