334 THE VELVET DUCK. 



nature, was the first person I met with who could give me any rational 

 account of the Ducks which bred in his vicinity. 



A few of the Velvet Ducks breed on the Island of Grand Manan, and in 

 other places about the Bay of Fundy, but rarely farther south, and the num- 

 ber that remain in Labrador is comparatively small, as we did not observe 

 there more than six or seven broods. They generally leave that part of the 

 coast about the middle of August; but that season they were still seen after 

 the Eider Ducks had departed, which makes me think that they require 

 more warmth than these birds before they begin to lay their eggs. Captain 

 James Clark Ross, of the British Royal Navy, a gentleman, besides his 

 professional merits, distinguished for his love of science, informed me that 

 none of these birds were observed on either of his Arctic voyages. The 

 extreme limits of their migrations remain unknown. 



The flight of the Velvet Duck is strong and sustained, although it usually 

 flies low; yet when pursued, or at the sight of gunners in a boat, it often 

 rises to the height of forty or fifty yards, describes elegant curved lines as it 

 passes and repasses, and thus continues to fly until danger is no longer 

 apprehended. Its movements in the air are performed by continued flap- 

 pings, and when on wing the white of the wings is beautifully contrasted 

 with the dark hue of the rest of its plumage. It dives with as much agility 

 as the Eider or the American Scoter, and, when wounded, is equally difficult 

 to be caught, nor can it be killed with certainty without a heavy shot. 



The Velvet Ducks enter the bays and estuaries to a greater distance than 

 the Eiders. On land the}' move with more difficulty than those birds, and 

 keep themselves in a more erect attitude, like that in which I have endea- 

 voured to represent the male in the plate. They swim with more buoyancy 

 than the Eiders, but at times seem to rise from the water with considerable 

 difficulty. Their food consists of shell-fish and Crustacea, as well as sea- 

 weeds, small fish, and spawn. Their flesh is extremely dark, tastes of fish, 

 and is very unpalatable, although I have seen persons of great judgment in 

 matters of this kind not only eat it with avidity, but praise it as highly as if 

 it were equal to the most tender and juicy venison. They are sold in abun- 

 dance in our eastern markets and those of the Middle States, at from fifty 

 cents to a dollar the pair. 



This species is, in my opinion, very closely allied to the Eider, insomuch 

 that I frequently call it the Black King-Duck. Along our coasts it com- 

 monly receives the name of White-winged Coot. The female is smaller than 

 the male. The young much resemble the female during the first year. The 

 white spots of the head, however, are apparent, although mottled with dusky, 

 and their feet now shew some of the redness of those of the old males; but 

 I am unable to say with certainty at what age they attain their full summer 



