82 
British Diving Ducks 
Mr. George Mackay gives us an interesting account of the food and habits of this 
species and other Scoters in his Auk, viii. p. 280. He says : 
"These Scoters are the most numerous of all the water-birds which visit the New England coast, 
collecting in greater or less numbers wherever their favourite food can be procured : The black mussel 
(Modtola modiolus), small sea clams {Spisula solidissima), scallops {Pecten concentricus), and short razor shells 
{Siliqua costatd) about an inch to an inch and a half long, which they obtain by diving. As an indication of 
how large a scallop these ducks can swallow, I may mention one taken from the throat of an adult male 
White-winged Scoter, which was about the size of a silver dollar ; it cut the skin of the neck when the bird 
struck the beach after being shot. Mussels measuring 2\ inches by i inch have been taken from them ; 
but usually they select sea clams and scallops varying in size from a five-cent nickel piece to a quarter of a 
dollar. They can feed in about forty feet of water, but prefer less than half of that depth. As these 
mussels are frequendy difficult to detach, and the sea clam lives embedded endwise in sand at the bottom, 
with only half an inch above the sand, the birds are not always successful in obtaining them, it requiring 
considerable effort on their part to pull the mussels off or to drag out the clams. Eight or ten of these 
constitute a meal, but the number varies according to the size. I have heard of a mussel closing on a 
Scoter's tongue, which was nearly severed at the time the bird was shot (Muskeget Island, about 1854). 
The fishermen frequently discover beds of shell-fish (scallops) by noticing where these birds congregate to 
feed. . . . Where there are large ponds adjacent to the coast, separated from the ocean by a strip 
of beach country, all three of the Scoters will at times frequent them to feed, and will collect in and come 
in considerable numbers if the supply of food is abundant, in which case they are very unwilling to leave 
such ponds, and although much harassed by being shot at and driven out, continue to return until many 
are killed. An instance of this kind occurred November i, 1890, when some 400 Scoters collected in 
the Hummuck Pond on Nantucket Island ; they were composed entirely of the young of the Surf and 
White-winged Scoters, only one American (a female) being obtained out of about 50 birds shot in one 
day (November 3) by a friend and myself. . . . 
" The old birds of the Surf-Scoter appear about the middle of September, with a very large move- 
ment about the 20th, according to the weather ; the young birds making their appearance the last of 
September or first of October. I have known a considerable flight to occur on the last day of September, 
the wind all day being very fresh from the south-west, which deflected them in towards the land ; such an 
early movement is, however, unusual. An easterly storm about the middle of August is likely to bring 
them along, the wind from this direction being particularly favourable for migration ; if, on the other 
hand, the weather is mild and warm, it is not usual to see them so early. . . . 
" I have noticed during the spring migration northward in April that frequently the larger flocks of 
the Surf-Scoter are led by an old drake. That the selection of such a leader is a wise precaution has 
frequently been brought to my notice, for on first perceiving such a flock coming towards me in the dis- 
tance, they would be flying close to the water : as they neared the line of boats, although still a consider- 
able distance away, the old drake would become suspicious and commence to rise higher and higher, the 
flock following him, until the line of boats is passed, when the flock again descends to the water. When 
over the boats shots are frequently fired up at them, but so well has the distance been calculated that it is 
seldom a bird is shot from the flock. 
"While each species during spring migration prefers to keep separate from the others, I have at 
times noticed flocks which had a few strangers of the other kinds mixed with them, and have seen stray 
birds join flocks not of their own kind. They, however, soon appeared ill at ease, frequently leaving the 
flock before passing from view. 
" All three varieties [species], when flying directly overhead at an elevation of about one hundred 
and thirty yards, can be called or whistled (by blowing through the fingers placed in the mouth) down to 
within ten or fifteen yards of the water, though never into it ; but it requires one whose eyes and hands 
work in most perfect accord to catch them with a charge of shot during such a headlong, zigzag rush. I 
explain this action on their part by the supposition that at first they mistake the sound for the noise of a 
hawk's wings, and seek the water for safety. I have seen the same result produced by a rifle ball pass- 
ing through or near a flock flying high in the air. Either of the Scoters, when at a considerable distance, 
can be attracted towards the decoys by shaking a jacket or hat at intervals, which, when their attention 
