The Surf Scoter 



Nesting. — Does not breed in California. Nest: On ground in dense cover 

 near water; of grasses and feathers with abundant dusky down. Eggs: 5 to 8; dull 

 ivory-yellow or cream-colored. Av. size 60.96 x 43.2 (2.40 x 1.70). Season: Late 

 June. 



General Range. — North America. Breeds on Arctic shores west to north- 

 western Mackenzie, and south to Great Slave Lake and northern Quebec, and from 

 Kotzebue Sound, Alaska, south to Sitka. Birds occurring in summer off the coast of 

 northeastern Siberia apparently do not breed; and non-breeders are found south on 

 both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of America in considerable numbers. Winters 

 on the Atlantic Coast from Nova Scotia to North Carolina, rarely to Florida; in the 

 interior regularly to the Great Lakes, and casually in Mississippi Valley south to 

 Louisiana; on the Pacific Coast from the Aleutians south to San Quentin Bay, Lower 

 California. 



Distribution in California. — Abundant migrant and winter resident along the 

 entire coastline. A scattered population of non-breeders remains throughout the 

 summer. 



Authorities. — Newberry (Oidemia perspicillata), Rep. Pac. R. R. Surv., vol. 

 vi., 1857, p. 104 (San Francisco); Dwight, Auk, vol. xxxi., 1914, p. 302, pis. (molts and 

 plumages); F. M.Bailey, Condor, vol. xviii., 1916, p. 109 (habits, s. Calif.). 



THE PROW of any one of a thousand coasting steamers, ferries, or 

 river boats affords an ideal opportunity for the study of winter bird-life 

 in Pacific waters. Wanton shooting from such stations has been prac- 

 tically discontinued, so that knowing birds postpone flight till the last 

 moment at the approach of a steamboat. No birds are more frequently 

 encountered than the Scoters, Surf and White-winged ; and it is a source 

 of never-ending enjoyment to observe their behavior on such occasions. 



At first it is presumed that the boat will pass at a considerable dis- 

 tance. In default of this issue the birds decide to outswim it, and bend 

 low to their task. But the monster approaches. The Coots stop rowing 

 and wag their heads inquiringly from side to side. It certainly is coming. 

 Whatever shall we do? Finally, one bird pulls himself together and 

 begins to pound the water with his wings and feet. The rest follow suit 

 with much grumbling and wheezing, and soon they are really off, patter- 

 ing and scooting over the water. But Flagstaff's wind gives out (and he 

 is the handsomest of the company). He is too fat to fly, and he gives up 

 after a few strokes, falling back panting into the water. There is always 

 one resort left an honest sea-fowl. You quench your curiosity in his 

 gaudy head-gear, bending low over the railing, and as the steamer is 

 almost upon him, the bird dives, swiftly, surely, confidently, quite out of 

 harm's way, and does not reappear short of a hundred yards. 



The head of the male Surf Scoter presents one of the most bizarre 

 appearances in nature. It has only the Tufted Puffin for a rival, and 

 I think that "the odds are even" here. Try to conjure before your mind's 

 eye the colorings of the Scoter's bill alone: black, white, pink, yellow, cad- 



1836 



