236 



REPTILES AND BIRDS. 



The Black Scoter {Anas nigra). 



The Black Scoter (Fig. 89) arrives on our shores about the middle 

 of autumn in considerable flocks, and is seen on all our western 

 coast during winter, but is still more abundant on the French coast. 

 It closely resembles the American bird of the same name, of which 

 it is probably a variety. 



It is almost as large as the common Wild Duck, but is shorter 

 and more thickly made. Its plumage is entirely black ; except when 

 young, when it is greyish. 



Passing its life on the surface of the water, and never venturing 



on the land except when driven by 

 stress of weather or for the purpose 

 of making its nest in the marshes, 

 it flutters rather than flies over the 

 surface of the sea, and makes no 

 use of its wings, except to escape 

 some danger, or to transport itself 

 from one point to another with more 

 rapidity. Its legs, in flying, hang 

 down, and constantly graze the sur- 

 face of the water ; it always appears 

 as if it regretted to leave its favourite 

 element. 



When on land, these birds walk 

 slowly and ungracefully ; but in the water they are active and grace- 

 ful. They are natives of both the Old and New World. About 

 the month of October, driven by the north and north-west winds, 

 they come down from the northerly countries of Europe, and visit 

 our Atlantic coasts and the Mediterranean. 



The salt-water pools adjacent to the sea, and the sheltered creeks 

 on the coast, they delight in ; unfortunately too often to become the 

 objects of the terribly destructive sport of which we are about to 

 speak. 



Two or three times during the winter, large placards exhibited in 

 certain towns of the department of Herault announce that large 

 flocks of these birds (called foulques in the country) having settled 

 down on some adjacent lake, a day's sport will be had with them on 

 a given date. This day is turned into a real fete by the sportsmen, 

 and an extraordinary concourse of people are brought together. 

 Some come in carriages, some in carts, and the most humble among 

 them on donkeys or on foot. At daybreak they reach the margin of. 



Fig. 89. — Scoter. 



