DUCK. 481 



Hiell, near an inch long, called by the French, vaimeaux ; thefe 

 they are perpetually diving after, frequently to the depth of fome 

 fathoms : this affords an ufual method of catching them, by 

 placing nets under the water, in fuch places as the Jhells are 

 raoft numerous j and, by this means, thirty or forcy dozen of 

 them have been taken in one tide. The day feems to be fpent, 

 by thefe birds, between diving, and flying to fmall diftances over 

 the water, which it does fo low as frequently to dip the legs 

 therein. It fwallows the food whole, and foon digefts the fliells, 

 which are found quite crumbled to powder among the excre- 

 ments. Has been kept tame for fome time, and will feed on 

 foaked bread. The flefh taftes fifhy to an extreme, and, from 

 this caufe, is allowed by the Roman Catholics to be eaten onfaft- 

 days, and in Lent ; and indeed, to fay the truth, mull be a fuf- 

 ficient mortification. 



Thefe birds abound in all the northern parts of the continent, 

 Lapland, Sweden, Norway, and Ruffia •, and are found in great 

 plenty on the great lakes and rivers of the north and eaft of Si- 

 biria, as well as on the fea-Jhores. It likevvife inhabits North 

 America, being met with at New York *, and in all probability 

 much more to the north on that continent, and that of Afta- t 

 OJbeck | met with them in 30 and 34 degrees fouth latitude, be- 

 tween the ifiand of Java and Si, Paul, in. the month of June. 



* Arft, Zsol. f Voy, i. p. 120. 



VOL, III. 3 Q_ 



Anas 



