258 NYROCA MARILA 



fact one is somewhat tempted to leave the two Scaups in the genus Marila in order 

 to call attention to their peculiarities, if it were not for the existence of other species 

 more or less connecting them with the Pochards. 



In their voice and courtship activities Scaups are also somewhat different from 

 other diving ducks, especially the Pochards. 



Another point which ought to be mentioned in connection with Scaup is the pre- 

 sence along the coastal regions, even far from breeding grounds, of great numbers of 

 non-breeding birds. It takes both sexes a long time to reach maturity, and it is safe 

 to say that a great many do not breed until their second year. The distribution of 

 the sexes during autumn and winter presents a very complex problem, noticed under 

 Migration, and thus far I am afraid we are in no position to offer any adequate ex- 

 planations. In some places it seems as though the females and young certainly win- 

 ter farther south ; at other points the sexes and ages are distributed in different waters 

 of the same general region. 



Wariness. I do not think the Scaup can be considered anything but a stupid 

 duck, not so stupid as the Scoters or Ruddy Ducks, but rather more so than the 

 Pochards and White-eyes. The English punters recognize them as easily approached 

 on the water and usually very loath to fly unless alarmed by more wary species, pre- 

 ferring to scatter out in a long row and swim ahead of the approaching punt. On our 

 own lakes I have sculled to a great many, or even paddled down upon young birds in 

 October in a canoe without any trouble at all. Later on, of course, they are wilder, 

 especially when gathered into large flocks upon their winter feeding grounds. But it 

 is the habitat of this duck and not its own disposition that really protects it. Stay- 

 ing out over deep water or endless banks and flats and seldom crossing points or 

 beaches in its morning and evening flights it is naturally well protected. In some 

 places I know about, it is almost impossible to get at them, and they spend the 

 whole winter in peace and security. The larger the flocks the more difficult to ap- 

 proach, as a rule. 



Daily Movements. In most places in winter the Scaup moves in and out with 

 the tide, resting when the sea is full and either drifting or flying toward the flats 

 while the tide is dropping. At least this is the way they act when left to their own 

 diversions. But if greatly disturbed during daylight hours they become quite noc- 

 turnal and rest in the open sea all day long. They may be classed as at least partially 

 nocturnal and certainly they are capable of doing most of their feeding at night, when 

 hard put to it. Presumably they feed more on bright nights than on dark ones. 

 Seebohm (1885), speaking of the Petchora River, says that Scaups are especially 

 active when the sun shines from the north, meaning, of course, during the bright 

 arctic night. On their fresh-water breeding grounds, they are independent of tide 

 and the affairs of men. 



