50 BIRDS OF THE WORLD 



a knob-like excrescence at the base of the bill. The 

 naked skin around the eye is red. 



The Common Scaup is a Duck found in many parts 

 of the world. Three species are known in America, 

 under a great many different names. In some parts 

 of the country it is called the "Raft Duck," from the 

 fact that they swim in large, compact bodies on the 

 surface of the water. When alarmed, they rise in a 

 mass, fly for some distance, and alight in the same 

 compact form. In general colour they resemble the 

 Canvasback and Redhead, except that the head of the 

 male is black instead of red. The flesh is fishy in 

 flavour, and is not particularly esteemed. 



In hunting Ducks, different methods are employed, 

 chief among them being the use of decoys — pieces of 

 wood carved and painted to resemble any particular 

 species of Duck. These are placed on the surface of 

 the water, in the neighbourhood of reeds and rushes, 

 the sportsman concealing himself a short distance 

 away under a blind made of bushes. As the wild 

 Ducks fly overhead, they see the decoys, and mistak- 

 ing them for living birds, drop to the water and at- 

 tempt to mingle with them. This is the himter's op- 

 portunity to shoot into the flock before it can rise. 

 Owing to their great speed. Ducks are difficult to 

 shoot on the wing, and good judgment is required not 

 to place the charge behind them. They are also able 

 to carry away a considerable amount of shot without 

 falling. 



The Sheldrake, or Sheld-duck, is a large, somewhat 

 Goose-like bird found in many parts of Europe, Asia, 

 and Africa, but not represented in America. In 



