THE SCAUr DUCK. 
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THE SCAUP DUCK. 
Fidigula marila. 
It is not easy to detenuiiie the exact times of the arrival 
and departure of this species. From October to April one or 
two appear suddenly upon some particular part of the coast, 
and often as suddenly withdraw ; yet they not unfrequently 
remain in some favourable locality for several weeks at a time. 
Deep quiet voes are very attractive, and there is perhaps scarcely 
one such voe in Shetland that is not visited at least once in a 
season, even though by very small numbers at a time. The 
largest number I ever saw in one day was five, and they kept 
far apart. Balta Sound in Unst, and Basta Voe in Yell, each 
running inland for about three miles and abounding with 
various mollusca, are perhaps as frequently visited by the 
oceanic ducks as any similar localities throughout the islands. 
No species of Duck with which I am acquainted is so easily 
approached while feeding as the Scaup. Sometimes, in shooting 
other birds, one has to resort to the well-known plan of run- 
ning while they are diving, and crouching before they rise to the 
surface; though their sight is too keen not to perceive the 
danger instantly if there be not sufficient means of concealment 
at hand. The Scaup, however, is not so suspicious, and will 
even permit a boat to approach within forty yards before it 
will take wing, provided the occupants lay in their oars, and 
hide as much of themselves as possible below the gunwale. I 
have not yet observed it in fresh water. 
The Scaup does not breed in any part of Shetland, although 
couples are not unfrequently seen in May, and solitary indi- 
viduals even in the middle of June ; but judging from Mr 
Wolley’s account it must be a late breeder. 
I have often seen in this Duck the curious habit noticed by 
that admirable observer Colonel iMontagu. The bird will half 
stand in the water and thrust its head forward, with the bill 
widely open--- sometimes, for a variation, bending the head 
