356 VELVET DUCK. 



pond until they were able to fly. That year, 1833, she and her mate 

 had arrived nearly a month later than usual. This accounted for the 

 small size of the young, which he was sori-y to see dead ; and here let me 

 say that Mr Jones, who is not only a good-hearted and benevolent man, 

 but also fond of observing nature, was the first person I met with who could 

 give me any rational account of the ducks which bred in his vicinity. 



A few of the Velvet Ducks breed on the Island of Grand Manan, and 

 in other places about the Bay of Fundy, but rarely farther south, and 

 the number that remain in Labrador is comparatively small, as we did 

 not observe there more than six or seven broods. They generally leave 

 that part of the coast about the middle of August ; but that season they 

 were still seen after the Eider Ducks had departed, which makes me think 

 that they require more warmth than these birds before they begin to lay 

 their eggs. Captain James Clakk Ross, of the British Royal Navy, a 

 gentleman, besides his professional merits, distinguished for his love of 

 science, informed me that none of these birds were observed on either of 

 -his Arctic voyages. The extreme limits of their migrations remain un- 

 known. I have already related the manner in which this and several 

 other species are caught by the Indians in the Bay of Fundy, and there- 

 fore it is unnecessary that I should repeat it here, as you will find it at 

 p. 487. of Vol. II. 



'i he flight of the Velvet Duck is strong and sustained, although it 

 usually flies low ; yet when pursued, or at the sight of gunners in a boat, 

 it often rises to the height of forty or fifty yards, describes elegant curved 

 lines as it passes and repasses, and thus continues to fly until danger is no 

 longer apprehended. Its movements in the air are performed by con- 

 tinued flappings, and when on wing the white of the wings is beautifully 

 contrasted with the dark hue of the rest of its plumage. It dives with as 

 much agility as the Eider or the American Scoter, and, when wounded, 

 is equally difficult to be caught, nor can it be killed with certainty with- 

 out a heavy shot. 



The Velvet Ducks enter the bays and estuaries to a greater distance 

 than the Eiders. On land they move with more difficulty than those 

 birds, and keep themselves in a more erect attitude, like that in which I 

 have endeavoured to represent the male in the plate. They swim with 

 more buoyancy than the Eiders, but at times seem to rise from the water 

 with considerable difficulty. Their food consists of shell-fish and crus- 

 acea, as well as sea-weeds, small fish, and spawn. Their flesh is extreme- 



