THE SCAUP DUCKS. 
IS 
Norway, 68° on the Ycnesei, and 62° on the Pacific coast. In 
"inter it is found throughout Southern Europe and the Medi- 
terranean countries, and it extends down the Nile Valley to 
Abyssinia and Shoa. In the higher lakes of the latter countries 
some apparently remain to breed. 
HaTjits. — Although found on the coasts in winter, the Tufted 
Scaup is much more of a fresh water than a maritime Duck at 
any season of the year, and is strictly an inland species during 
the breeding-season. During the winter, too, it frequents in- 
land lakes, where it is a shy and suspicious species, keeping 
aloof from the resident Mallards of the locality, but associating 
with the Wigeon in flocks, which keep well out of gun-shot in 
the middle of the water. When swimming, the Tufted Scaups 
show a great deal of their white breasts, and appear to sit lightly 
on the water, while their crested heads are very distinctly seen. 
They prefer lakes where there are reedy shores, rather than 
those with bare or sandy banks. In India, Mr. Hume states 
that he has seen as many as ten thousand together, covering the 
"hole of the centre cf the Kunkrowli I^kein Oodeypore. Like 
the Pochards, they make a great noise when they rise by strik- 
ing the water w'ith their feet. “Their food,” writes Mr. Hume, 
“ is more animal than vegetable. They constantly devour small 
fish, and one finds every kind of W’ater-insect, worm, grub, and 
shells, small lizards, frogs, spawn, &c., in their stomachs. Still, 
hke the rest of the Ducks, they eat the leaves, stem.s, and roots 
of water-plants freely, and I have several notes of birds which 
had dined, or bre.akfasted, entirely off some white shining onion- 
hhe bulb.” The note is like that of the Pochards, a grating 
■ Kurr, kurr,” but not so loud as in the last-named birds. 
Nest. — Placed near the water in a tussock or hump of grass, 
and made of sedge or grass lined with down. My friend Mr. 
P-obert Read tells me that in Scotland he has found the nest 
amongst rushes and in open pastures amongst the grass ; in the 
alter case the down is of great protective value, and the nest 
ought easily be mistaken for a patch of dried cow-dung. 
Eggs — Laid in May and June, varying in number from eight 
° thirteen, ten or twelve being the usual complement. Mr. 
Robert Read writes to me;— “The last week in May and the 
tst week in June are the best times to look for the eggs. Nine 
