SCAUP DUCK. 
227 
no great distance from tbe sea. Is most numerous 
the waters of’ the Chesapeake ; and, with the con- 
^oisseurs in good eating, ranks next in excellence to 
'*e canvass-back. Its usual weight is about a pound 
three (juarters avoirdupois. 
. The red-head leaves the hay and its tributary streams 
® March, and is not seen until late in October. 
The male of this species has a large flat bony labyrinth 
the bottom of the windpipe, very much like that of 
?6 canvass-back, but smaller ; over one of its concave 
'des is spread an exceeding thin transparent skin, or 
^enibrane. The intestines are of great width, and 
'‘'®asure six feet in length. 
277. ANAS MAmi.A, LINNaSCS AND WILSON SCAUP DUCK. 
^*I-SON, PLATE LXIX. FIG. III. —EDINBURGH COLLEGE MUSEUM. 
This duck is better known among us by the name 
the blue bill. It is an e.xcellent diver, and, according 
® Willoughby, feeds on a certain small kind of shell 
called scaup, whence it has derived its name. It is 
?®nimou both to our fresh water rivers and sea shores 
^ 'Vinter. Those that frequent the latter arc generally 
'®*ich the'fattest, on account of the greater abundance 
“1 food along the coast. It is sometimes abundant in 
Delaware, particularly in those places where small 
®‘t>ls, its favourite shell hsh, abound; feeding also, like 
^®st of its tribe, by moonlight. They generally leave 
^ 'n April, though I have met with individuals of this 
2?®cic8 so late as the middle of May, among the salt 
7**j‘shes of New' Jersey. Their Uesh is not of the most 
Jdicate kind, yet some persons esteem it. That of 
young birds is generally the tendcrest and most 
v'llatable. 
, The length of the blue bill is nineteen inches, extent 
'Venty-niue inches ; hill, broad, generally of a light blue, 
j^’letimes of a dusky lead colour; iridcs, reddish; 
'^'*d, tumid, covered with plumage of a dark glossy 
'i''eeu, extending half way down the neck ; rest of the 
