ANATIN^ — THE DUCKS — FLLIX. 



10 



The "Scaup Duck" of Great Britain — the "Blue-bill " of Xew England, the "Black- 

 head " of Long Island and Chesapeake Bay — is one of the most abundant and one of 

 the most widely distributed of its tribe. In North America it occurs on the Atlantic 

 coast, the interior waters, and on the Pacific. In the latter it is found from Alaska 

 to Central America, in the interior from the Barren Grounds to the Gulf of JMexico, 

 and on the east from Greenland and Hud- 

 son's Bay to Florida and the West India 

 Islands. It is found throughout Europe 

 and Asia as far east as China and Japan. 

 It does not appear to move farther south 

 than the north shore of the Mediterranean, 

 and is more northern than most of the 

 fresh-water Ducks. 



Dr. Walker mentions having obtained 

 several specimens of this Duck near Godt- 

 haab, on the coast of Greenland, and Profes- 

 sor Reinhardt states that two adult males 

 and a female of this species were sent to 

 Denmark from ISlenortalik in 1860. Mr. 

 Ross met with this bird on Great Slave 

 Lake, and Captain Blakiston obtained speci- 

 mens of it on Hudson's Bay. In the terri- 

 tory of the Hudson's Bay Company, as Mr. 

 Kennicott states, it is known by the voya- 

 geitrs as the "Big Fall Duck" (Gros Canard 

 cVAutomne). It was rather rare on the 

 Yukon, but more common about the Slave 

 Lake. Although abundant on the west 

 coast, the main body appears to pass to the 

 northeastward, although not going so far 

 east as the Dusky Duck and the Red-head. 

 It was supposed by Mr. Kennicott to breed 

 more toward Hudson's Bay ; and he found 



its general habits to be very similar to those of the Fulix affinis, with which it asso- 

 ciates. It was ascertained to be abundant at Sitka, where it was obtained by IMr. 

 Bischoft". Mr. Dall found it common on the Lower Yukon and on the sea-coast, 

 where it was one of the first of the Ducks to arrive in the spring ; and he obtained 

 its eggs near the mouth of the Yukon in the early part of June. He speaks of its 

 nest as being very rude — a mere excavation, with a few straws aboiit it — and of the 

 bird as usually tough and lean, and but poor eating. This Duck was found by ]Mr. 

 R. Browne on the coast of Vancouver Island, and Richardson states that it breeds 

 in all parts of the Fur Countries, from the 50th parallel to the most northern 

 limits. 



According to Dr. Cooper, this Duck, variously known as the " Broad-bill," the 

 " Blue-bill," and the " Shuffler," is common during the winter along the entire coast 

 of California, frequenting the salt bays and creeks, and occasionally going a short 

 distance up the more open rivers, in fresh water. It is said to feed on small shell- 

 fish, Crustacea, etc., for which it dives a good deal in very deep water, both by night 

 and day. Its stay in California is from October until April, when it leaves for the 

 Arctic Regions to breed. It utters a grunting noise, and occasionally a guttural quack. 



Male. 



