210 SOMATERIA LABRADOEIA. 



"Along the coast of New Jersey and Long Island it occurs, in greater or 

 less number, every year. It also at times enters the Delaware river, and 

 ascends that stream at least as far as Philadelphia. A birdstuifer whom I 

 knew at Camden had many fine specimens, all of which he had procured by 

 baiting fish-hooks with the common mussel on a ' trot-line ' sunk a few feet 

 beneath the surface, but on which he never found one alive, on account of 

 the manner in which these Ducks dive and flounder when securely hooked. 

 All the specimens which I saw with this person, male and female, were in 

 perfect plumage ; and I have not enjoyed opportunities of seeing the changes 

 which this species undergoes. 



" The Pied Duck seems to be a truly marine bird, seldom entering rivers 

 unless urged by stress of weather. It procures its food by diving amidst the 

 rolling surf over sand or mud-bars, although at times it comes along the 

 shore and searches in the manner of the Spoonbill Duck. Its usual fare 

 consists of small shell-fish, fry, and various kinds of seaweeds, along with 

 which it swallows much sand and gravel. Its flight is swift ; and its wings 

 emit a whistling sound. It is usually seen in flocks of from seven to ten, 

 probably the members of one family." 



Wilson, in the ^ American Ornithology ' (vol. iii. pi. Ixix.), figures the 

 male, and says (p. 114) : — "This is rather a scarce species on our coasts, 

 and is never met with on freshwater lakes or rivers. It is called by some 

 gunners the Sand-shoal Duck, from its habit of frequenting sand-bars. Its 

 principal food appears to be shell-fish, which it procures by diving. The 

 flesh is dry, and partakes considerably of the nature of its food." 



Nevertheless an English voyager to Labrador in 1773 says, in October 

 of that year : — " One of my people killed a pair of pied birds which afforded 

 us an excellent supper." I know the passage relates to the Duck in question 

 because the writer previously speaks of one Pied Duck, killed October 1770. 

 It appears to me, however, that it was never a very numerous species ; and 

 though a vast number of every kind of game were shot, yet this bird only 



