GAME BIRDS AND WILD FOWL. 435 



form of the Velvet Scoter, only subspecifically distinct. May 

 be distinguished from the Velvet Scoter by the absence of the 

 black lines on the bill which extend from the nostrils to the nail 

 on each side in that form. This race should be looked out for 

 on the British coasts, especially in autumn. 



Time during which the Velvet Scoter may be taken. 

 — August I St to March ist; otherwise by authority of owner or 

 occupier of land. 



Habits. — The habits of the Velvet Scoter do not differ in many 

 important respects from those of the allied Common Scoter. It is, 

 however, a bird more addicted to inland waters, and even during 

 winter, although commonly met with at sea, often far from land, 

 wanders up rivers and estuaries and visits lakes. Its breeding 

 grounds also are as a rule situated at greater distances from the 

 sea, and the nest is not unfrequently made a long way from any 

 water at all. The flight of this Scoter is rapid and well-sustained, 

 but except on migration the bird is loth to take wirg, and almost 

 invariably seeks to elude danger by diving. In the water it is 

 extremely active, not only swimming well, but diving with 

 amazing speed, and going not only to a considerable depth in 

 quest of food, but for a long distance to escape an enemy, 

 appearing again well out of harm's way. It is seldom seen 

 on land, and there its gait is waddling and clumsy, even for 

 a Duck In more favoured winter quarters there is no doubt 

 that the Velvet Scoter congregates in large flocks, but in our seas 

 it is rare to see more than a small company together, and is 

 usually met with in odd birds or scattered pairs among flocks of 

 the much more abundant Common Scoter. It appears in British 

 waters and takes its departure about the same time as the pre- 

 ceding species, although odd (and probably immature) birds 

 sometimes linger with us throughout the summer. The food 

 of the Velvet Scoter consists principally of mollusks, crustaceans, 

 and small fish in winter, but in summer there can be little doubt 

 that vegetable substances, such as aquatic weeds, are eaten. Its 

 note is said not to differ very much from that of the preceding 

 species, and is a grating hirr. 



Nidification. — The Velvet Scoter is a late breeder, even for 

 an Arctic species, and its eggs are not laid until the very end of 



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