8 C A U \\ 
FULIGULJ MJllILA. 
Flocks of these hardy birds are to he found off almost eveiy portion of our eoast-line : though by no 
means so abundant of late years, I used in former days to meet with immense numbers, during severe 
winters, diving for food over the sandy flats off the shores of Kent and Sussex, In Kye Bay, where 
this species is knoAvn to the local gunners as the “ Frosty-hack Wigeon,” the whole of the fowl were 
much cut up by the hard weather in December 1859, and from a fishing-smack furnished with a long 
gun secured by a breeching in the hows, I obtained several shots at even the largest flocks of Scaup and 
Wigeon. These birds seldom make their way inland in the south of England ; few, if any, were ever 
noticed on the lakes or rivers at a distance from the coast, and the visitors to the harbours or brackish 
pools inside the shingle-hanks were almost invariably cripples that had escaped the shore-shooters. 
The Norfolk broads, so attractive to Pochards, appear to offer hut few inducements to this sj>ecies to 
prolong their visits when driven in by stress of Aveather or other causes ; a party numhering from ten 
or a dozen up to a score may now and then be seen on the water, hut a moA'e to other quarters is 
usually made before many hours have elapsed. While collecting specimens in the east of Koss-shire 
and Sutherland in 18G8 and the following year, I often met Avith these birds on the inland lochs within 
a few miles of the coast ; they were also repeatedly observed on the saltwater firths, flocks numbering 
from one to two Imndred birds at times affording good sport while punt-gunning. 
In the Dornoch Firth numbers of these birds used to resort at high water to the banks between 
Tain and Morangie, where food might he obtained, occasionally making their way as far up as Edderton 
Bay. Unless in want of specimens or to procure some fowl for any of the country people who had 
made application, I seldom molested them, as Scaups, in my opinion, are far from palatable when 
prepared for the table. The largest flocks proved exceedingly wild and much averse to alloAV a near 
approach Avhen an attempt Avas made to scull Avithin range for the big gun ; under sail, however, AAnth a 
fresh breeze, it was easy to run down within forty or fifty yards before a bird Avould rise on wing. On 
springing from the Avater the line of fowl, which in most instances had previously spread out, Avould at 
once draAV closer, and an excellent chance Avas not unfrequently offered. After the manner of all the 
large-footed diving Ducks, the cripples are difficult to recover when a successful shot has been obtained. 
Spreading out in all directions and moving rapidly under Avater, they are speedily out of sight; Avith the 
slightest ripple on the surface pursuit is almost useless. 
On the 19th of April, 1877, while driving from Inverness toAvards the south, along the shores of 
the firth, I noticed a score at least of Scaups in company Avith ]\Iallard, Wigeon, Goldeneyes, and 
Mergansers, all in magnificent plumage and exceedingly tame, swimming in detached parties, and feedino- 
here and there among the Aveed-groAvn blocks of stone Avithin a short distance of the road. The tide 
was high at the time, and the birds Avere plainly visible without the aid of glasses: as they spread out 
