SURF DUCK. 163 
withstanding all my further exertions, I did not succeed in discovering 
more nests or young birds. 
In the States of Maine and Massachusetts, this species is best known 
by the name of “ Butter-boat-billed Coot.” The gunners of Long 
Island and New Jersey call it the Black Sea Duck. It is often seen 
along the coast of South Carolina, where my friend Jonn Bacuman 
has met with it. The Surf Duck is a powerful swimmer and an ex- 
pert diver. It is frequently observed fishing at the depth of several 
fathoms, and it floats buoyantly among the surf or the raging billows, 
where it seems as unconcerned as if it were on the most tranquil 
waters. It rises on wing, however, with considerable difficulty, and 
in this respect resembles the Velvet Duck ; but when once fairly under 
way, it flies with rapidity and to a great distance, passing close to the 
water during heavy gales, but at the height of forty or fifty yards in 
calm and pleasant weather. It is an uncommonly shy bird, and there- 
fore difficult to be obtained, unless shot at while on wing, or when 
asleep, and as it were at anchor on our bays, or near the shore, for it 
dives as suddenly as the Velvet and Scoter Ducks, eluding even the best 
percussion-locked guns. The female, which was killed as she flew off 
from the nest, uttered a rough uncouth guttural cry, somewhat resem_ 
bling that of the Goosander on similar occasions; and I have never 
heard any other sound from either sex. 
The migration of the Surf Ducks eastward from our Southern coast, 
begins at a very early season, as in the beginning of March none are 
to be seen in the New Orleans markets. When I was at Eastport in 
Maine, on the 7th of May 1833, they were all proceeding eastward. 
How far up the St Lawrence they advance in winter I have not learned, 
but they must give a decided preference to the waters of that noble 
stream, if I may judge by the vast numbers which I saw apparently 
coming from them as we approached the Labrador coast. I have never 
seen this species on any fresh-water lake or river, in any part of the 
interior, and therefore consider it as truly a marine duck. 
During their stay with us, they are always seen in considerable 
numbers together, and, unless perhaps during the breeding season, 
they seem to be gregarious; for even during their travels northward 
they always move in large and compact bodies. When I was at New- 
foundiand, I was assured that they breed there in considerable num- 
bers on the lakes of the interior. My friend Professor Maccuttoca, 
LQ 
