6 SCAUP DUCK. 
SCAUP DUCK. (dnas marilla.) 
PLATE LXIX.—Fic. 3. 
Le Petit Morillon Rayé, Briss. vi. p. 416, 26, A.—Arct. Zool. No. 498.—Lath. Syn. 
iii. p. 500.—Peale’s Museum, No. 2668. 
FULIGULA MARILLA.—Stnruens.* 
Fuligula marilla, Steph. Cont. Sh. Zool. xii. p. 108.—Bonap. Syn. p. 392.— 
North. Zool. ii. p. 457.—Anas marilla, Linn. i. p. 19.—Scaup Duck, Mont. 
Ormth. Dict. i. and Supp.—Bew. ii. p. 339.—Canard Milouinan, Temm. 
Man. ii. p. 865.—Nyroca marilla, Flem. Br. Anim. p. 122.—Common Scaup 
Pochard, Selby, Illust. Br. Ornith. pl. 66. 
Tuts duck is better known among us by the name of the blue- 
bill. It is an excellent diver, and, according to Willoughby, - 
feeds on a certain small kind of shellfish called scaup, whence 
it has derived its name. It is common both to our fresh- 
water rivers and sea-shores in winter. Those that frequent 
the latter are generally much the fattest, on account of the 
* Common also to both continents, and in Britain a most abundant 
sea-duck. Though generally to be found in the poultry markets during 
winter, it is strong and ill flavoured, or what is called fishy, and of little 
estimation for the table. In the “Northern Zoology,” the American 
specimens are said to be smaller, but no other distinctions could be per- 
ceived ; a single northern specimen which I possess agrees nearly with 
the dimensions given of the smaller kind, and I can see no other im- 
portant difference ; but there are also larger-sized birds, known to the 
natives by the addition of “ Keetchee” to the name, and I think it pro- 
bable that two birds may be here confused, which future observations 
will allow us to separate. 
The young of both this bird and the tufted pochard have a white band 
circling the base of the bill, which has caused them to be described as 
distinct species. 
To the description of Wilson, Mr Ord has added the following 
observations :—“In the Delaware there are several favourite feeding 
grounds of the blue-bill along the Jersey shore from Burlington to 
Mantua Creek ; but the most noted spot appears to be the cove which 
extends from Timber Creek to Eagle Point, and known by the name of 
Ladd’s Cove. Thither the blue-bills repair in the autumn, never quitting 
it until they depart in the spring for the purpose of breeding, except 
when driven away in the winter by the ice. It is no uncommon circum- 
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