248 Mr. Peabody on the 
which they are constantly diving. Their flesh is 
sometimes eaten, but is not recommended. 
The Verver Duck, Fuligula fusca, breeds in 
Labrador and the fur countries, and, after spending 
some time about the lakes in those regions, returns 
to the south, and reaches us in September. It isa 
sea bird in all its habits; but Nuttall has seen it in 
Fresh Pond, in Cambridge. After breeding near the 
fresh water lakes, it leaves them for the rest of the 
year, and prefers the shores, where its usual food, 
shell-fish and other articles which form the subsist- 
ence of sea-birds, always abounds. On the coast, it 
is called the White-winged Coot; its flesh, though 
no great luxury, is in considerable demand. 
The American Scorer Dvcx, Fuligula America- 
na, comes to us from the shores of Hudson's Bay, 
and; while here, associates with the other sea ducks, 
living on similar food. Early in November, it is 
found in Boston market, and the flesh of the young 
is considered good. 
The Ruppy Duck, Fuligula rubida, breeds in the 
small lakes of the fur countries, and returns to us in 
October, proceeding as far south as the limits of 
Florida. When it first arrives, the young are unsus- 
picious, but the old are difficult to approach. The 
females and young are seen in our ponds and about 
tide waters, and many of them are sold in Boston, 
under the name of Dun-Birds. 
