176 The Water-fowl Family 



would probably tempt few besides the natives. 

 The birds are seen in small flocks, flying close to 

 the water, their characteristic whistle marking the 

 flight. Anything in the shape of decoys attracts 

 scoters, if only dark in color, and in certain loca- 

 tions strings of bladders are employed for this 

 purpose. This duck is a good diver and when 

 wounded cares well for itself, easily escaping. 



Throughout the interior of the United States 

 the American scoter is an occasional straggler, 

 but is found regularly on the Great Lakes. The 

 breeding-grounds are about Hudson Bay, and 

 great numbers breed off the Alaskan coast. Here 

 they frequent the small bodies of water a short 

 distance inland. The nest is concealed by some 

 overhanging shrub near the water's edge, and the 

 eggs are carefully covered with down. At this 

 time the males keep offshore in flocks, moulting 

 and preparing for the return trip south, while the 

 female brings up the young brood. 



The scoters are perhaps the least interesting 

 of our sea-ducks ; yet the time will come, and in 

 places is now at hand, when the duck-hunter will 

 put up with despised " coots " or go without. 



THE VELVET SCOTER 



(Oidemia fused) 



Adult male — Bill marked by a basal prominence of black ; edges 

 of upper mandible with a streak on each side of nail, black; the 

 sides orange ; nail and part of the ridge, a reddish flesh color ; 



