186 THE SCAUP DUCK. 



September, at a time when all the other Ducks observed 

 were well on the wing. Although this bird passes far north, 

 many nest in various parts of the United States. Audubon 

 notices its breeding in Texas, and others in the Middle 

 States, about the Great Lakes, and in Oregon. Mr. Dall 

 found it nesting along the Yukon with the Pintail." The 

 Widgeon's eggs are 8-12, 2.00 x 1-50, pale buff. 



THE SCAUP DUCK. 



On the 16th I go about two miles westward along the 

 lake shore in company with a friend to a place where a 

 small stream enters the lake through a low tract of land, 

 and, as the mouth is frequently closed with the stones and 

 gravel thrown up by the waves, the waters thus obstructed 

 form a large irregular pond, and afford a resort for Ducks, 

 .spring and fall. As we approach this pond we discover a 

 flock of some half-dozen Scaup Ducks {Fidigula marild), 

 swimming in a line, near the farther bank. In the act of 

 swimming the white feathers of the sides are thrown up 

 over the wings, so that the males appear white with black 

 heads. How rapidly and gracefully they move! 



Scrambling along almost on hands and knees we pass to 

 the other side on a ridge of small stones and gravel now 

 thrown across the narrow mouth of the pond, and follow 

 a depression behind the opposite bank, thus coming within 

 short range of the Ducks without being seen. We rise and 

 fire, and only kill one Duck, which neither of us can claim 

 with certainty. The rest of the flock fly out over the lake, 

 which is lashed into fury by the wind, and instantly return 

 to see what is become of the* missing one. 



The Scaup Duck, Black-head, or Blue-bill — for it is 

 known by all these common names — is 16 or 17 inches in 

 length, rather short and flat-bodied, with an unusually 



