SUBF SCOTES 203 



from the White-winged Scoter. In hand the presence of feathers on 

 top of the bill extending nearly to the nostrils is the best character 

 for positive identification. "The neck patch of the male makes a 

 striking field character, as do the two white spots at the side of the 

 head in the young; while the female, lacking the ear patch, can be 

 told by elimination" (Bailey, 1916b, p. 108). 



For the nesting season this scoter seeks the vicinity of fresh water 

 as does its white-winged relative. A nest of this species found by Mac- 

 Farlane in the neighborhood of Fott Anderson, Canada, was situated 

 on a ridge of ground at the foot of a dry stunted pine, where it was 

 entirely hidden by the lower branches of the tree. It was constructed 

 of dark-colored down. The nest is said to be indistinguishable from 

 that of the White-winged Scoter (Baird, Brewer and Eidgway, 1884, 

 II, p. 102). ' ■- ' 



The Surf Scoter is appropriately named as it appears to be 

 thoroughly at home in the roughest surf of our ocean shore. For rest 

 or sleep the birds resort to the smoother water outside the surf, and 

 sometimes they come inside onto the beach, where they stand and 

 preen their feathers. During the day time these birds are often to 

 be seen sleeping on the quiet waters of San Francisco Bay in company 

 with White-winged Scoters. When taking flight they rise heavily 

 from the water, with apparent difficulty, running or kicking along 

 the surface for some distance before gaining sufficient impetus to 

 enable them to rise clear of the water. Once in flight they are able 

 to travel with considerable speed. ' 



During an extended visit to the beaches of southern California 

 Florence Merriam Bailey studied the habits of the Surf Scoter in 

 some detail. The following paragraphs are excerpted from her 

 account. 



One of the big sea birds . . . did actually go through the breaking surf 

 prow on, but . . . none of his fellows ever did. ... It was a pretty sight when, 

 under a gray sky, the beautiful long green rolls of surf rose and combed over 

 and the Surf Scoters came in from the green swells behind to feed in front 

 of the surf and do skillful diving stunts to escape being pounded by the white 

 water-falls. As the green wall ridged up over their heads they would sit 

 unmoved, but just as the white line of foam began to appear along the crest 

 they would dive, staying under till the surf had broken and the water was 

 level again. . . . 



A flock of about twenty-five Surf Scoters . . . swimming Indian file, on 

 reaching a certain point disappeared one after the other, doubtless going down 

 to a streamer of kelp under the surface. They were past masters in timing 

 the breaking of the rollers, again and again riding over one the instant before 

 the crest broke into foam. When feeding far out from the shore a few of the 

 sea birds would sometimes get widely separated from the rest of the flock and 

 after rising up to look over the water would swim or, if too far, fly across 

 to rejoin their companions. 



