332 
The Surf Scoter 
feet above the water. In each boat a man springs to his knees, follows j 
the swift course of the birds for an instant with his gun, and fires.” ‘ 
Forbush has declared : 
‘‘The ‘Coots’ mate early, before the spring migration commences; : 
and after they are mated if one be shot the other will follow it down to i 
the water, and if frightened away will come back again. Therefore, 
the gunner who understands their habits seldom fails to l^ag both. . . . i 
This Scoter is an experienced diver and can swim such a long distance 
under water that it is easy for it to- escape the gunner in a sail-boat by i| 
for the statement that he dissected nine specimens of this bird to ascer- i 
tain on what they had been feeding. About 8o per cent, of the food which j 
these birds had taken, shortly before being killed, consisted of mussels; | 
about 14 per cent, of periwinkles; and about 6^ per cent, of algae and ji 
eelgrass. The flesh of few if any birds whose diet consists of fish or 
shell-fish is really palatable ; and it would seem that this fact alone would 
protect the Scoter from the onslaught of gunners, to which it is subjected j 
during its southern migration. As it is universally regarded as a legal i 
game-bird it may be interesting to note just to what extent its flesh is ; 
esteemed by epicures. Speaking of the Scoter as an article of food, 
Walter H. Rich in “Feathered Game of the Northeast,” says: 
“They are unusually tough customers either in life or at the table. 
Most of our cooks believe it impossible to so prepare this bird as to make 
least one day, or until it can be dented with a fairly sharp axe. If your 
courage holds out the game is now ready to stuff and bake as you would 
any other duck, except that you must put enough onions into its inside to 
take away all Coot flavor. Arriving at this stage of proceedings there 
are two lines of retreat yet open to you ; either throw your delicate morsel 
away or give it to someone against whom you hold an ancient grudge — ■ 
on no account should you try to eat it.” 
The Surf Scoter belongs to the Order Anseres, Family Anatida, and Sub- 
family Anatincc. Its scientific name is Oidemia perspicilata. Its summer home is 
northern Canada and Alaska, and it winters along the Pacific Coast and in the 
northern United States. 
constantly changing the direction of its flight under 
water. Some times a cripple, if pursued, will dive to 
the bottom, and seizing some marine plant with its 
bill will hold on and commit suicide by drowning rather than submit to | 
capture by its greatest and most persistent enemy.” ! 
The food of the Surf Scoter consists chiefly of mussels and other ! 
bivalves of various kinds that dwell in the seas, bays, and river-mouths, j 
W. L. McAtee, of the Biological Survey, in Washington, is responsible j 
Not Good 
to Eat 
it decent food for any but a starving man. The best 
recipe I have seen runs somewhat as follows : First, 
skin your fowl and let it parboil in saleratus water at 
Classification and Distribution 
This and other Educational Leaflets are for sale, at 5 cents each, by the National Association of 
Audubon Societies, 1974 Broadway, New York City. Lists given on request. 
