218 BUFFEL-HEADED DUCK. 
ly rise again, within a few yards as if to ascertain the cause of their 
alarm. I have sometimes been much amused to see the apparent glee 
with which these little Dippers would thus dive at the repeated snap- 
pings of a miserable flint lock, patiently tried by some vagrant boys, 
who becoming fatigued with the ill luck of their piece. would lay it 
aside, and throw stones at the birds, which would appear quite pleased. 
Their flight is as rapid as that of our Hooded Merganser, for they 
pass through the air by regularly repeated beats of their wings, with 
surprising speed; and yet this is the best time for the experienced 
sportsman to shoot them, as they usually fly low. Their note is a 
mere croak, much resembling that of the Golden-eye, but feebler. At 
the approach of spring, the males often swell their throats and expand 
the feathers of the head, whilst they utter these sounds, and whilst 
moving with great pomposity over the waters. Often too, they charge 
against each other, as if about to engage in combat, but I have never 
seen them actually fighting. 
When these birds return to us from the north, the number of the 
young so very much exceeds that of the old, that to find males in full 
plumage is much more uncommon than toward the time of their de- 
parture, when I have thought the males as numerous as the females. 
Although at times they are very fat, their flesh is fishy and disagree- 
able. Many of them, however, are offered for sale in our markets. 
I have often found some of them on inland ponds, which they seemed 
loth to leave, for, although repeatedly shot at, they would return. Their 
food is much varied according to situation. On the sea-coast, or in es- 
tuaries, they dive after shrimps, small fry, and bivalve shells; and in 
fresh-water, they feed on small crayfish, leeches, and snails, and even 
grasses. 
Not having found any of these birds in Labrador or Newfoundland, 
I am unable to say anything as to their nests. Dr Ricuarpson states, 
that they frequent the rivers and fresh-water lakes throughout the Fur 
Countries in great numbers, but does not mention having observed them 
breeding. As in almost all other species of this family, the young of 
both sexes in autumn resemble the adult female. Dr Townsenp has 
found this species on the streams of the Rocky Mountains, and it has 
been observed as far westward as Monterey in New California. 
