571 



margaritacea ; and another contained a number of the seeds of Zostera marina in addition to 

 Rissoa ulvce, this being the only instance in which any vegetable matter was found. Minute 

 Crustacea, as Idotece &c, I have likewise met with ; large pebbles even, half an inch in diameter, 

 are sometimes in them." 



When feeding, the Scaup is, as a rule, very easy of approach ; for it is far less suspicious 

 than most of its allies, and will frequently allow a boat to come within gunshot-range without 

 taking wing. 



The present species breeds, as above stated, in the northern portions of both the Palsearctic 

 and Nearctic Regions. The nest is placed on the ground under a bush, or well concealed 

 amongst the high grass, more seldom in a hole or under a stone. Not unfrequently several 

 females deposit their eggs in the same nest ; and Dr. Kriiper states that in Iceland he once 

 found twenty-two eggs in one nest. The eggs are deposited from the early part of June to the 

 middle of July ; and when the female commences to incubate she sits very close, not leaving the 

 nest until the intruder is close to it. The normal number of eggs appears to be eight or nine. 

 I possess a nest and seven eggs of this Duck, taken by Mr. Meves on Oland, on the 5th July 

 1871. The nest consists only of grasses, without any down as lining; and the eggs are uniform 

 greyish stone-buff in colour, and vary in size from 2-^| by If ^ to 2f£ by If ^ inches. 



The specimens figured are the adult male and female above described, both of which are in 

 my collection. 



In the preparation of the above article I have examined the following specimens : — 



E Mus. H. E. Dresser. 



a, d ad. Yorkshire coast, b, 6 ad. Mezen, N. Russia, June 19th, 1873 {Piottuch). c, $ ad. Uima, Arch- 

 angel, May 10th, 1874. d, $ var. Archangel, 1874 {Piottuch). d,juv. Amoy, China, November 1866 

 (R. Swinhoe) . e, pull. Oland, July 27th, 1867 {Meves) . 



2h2 



