﻿128 ANATID/F.. 



In Newfoundland the Surf Scoter is said to be well 

 known. While the present species frequents the sea, it passes 

 most of its time close to the shore, floating over the hidden 

 beds of shell -fish ; but when it resorts to lakes and rivers, 

 it keeps to the central parts, as it is by nature very 

 shy. 



During its summer occupations it frequents the mouths 

 of rivers near the shores of small islands and fresh-water 

 lakes in the vicinity of the sea, where it seeks the shelter 

 of reeds, flags, and long grasses, which it avoids at all other 

 times. 



The habits of the Surf Scoter resemble those of the 

 Velvet Scoter in many respects : its flocks are said to 

 be very numerous, and its motions in every respect 

 alike. 



The food of the present species agrees in many respects 

 with the foregoing, to which we must add the shoots of 

 aquatic plants, flags, and grasses, but muscles form its prin- 

 cipal nourishment. 



The breeding-places of this species are chiefly the coasts 

 of Hudson's Bay, and the nearest fresh-water lakes and 

 rivers. 



The nest is a loose construction of grasses, flags, and other 

 decayed plants, and is lined with down from the breast of the 

 parent bird. 



The eggs are said to be from four to six in num- 

 ber. 



The entire length of the Surf Scoter is about twenty- 

 one inches. 



The adult male bird has the entire plumage blue or inky 

 black, with the exception of a pure white patch on the fore- 

 head, and another just at the nape of the neck. The beak 

 is orange yellow ; the nob on the upper mandible vermilion ; 



