SCAUP DUCK. 
355 
Mantua creek; but the most noted spot appears to be the cove 
which extends from Timber creek to Eagle Point, and known 
by the name of Ladd’s cove. Thither the Blue-bills repair in 
the autumn, and never quit it until they depart in the spring for 
the purpose of breeding, except when driven away, in the win- 
ter, by the ice. It is no uncommon circumstance to see many 
hundreds of these bii’ds at once constantly diving for food; but 
so shy are they, that even with the aid of a very small, and 
well-constructed skiff, cautiously paddled, it is difficult to ap- 
proach them within gunshot. So very sagacious are they, that 
they appear to know the precise distance wherein they are safe; 
and, after the shooter has advanced within this point, they then 
begin to spread their lines in such a manner that, in a flock of 
a hundred, not more than three or four can be selected in a group 
at any one view. They swim low in the water; are strong feath- 
ered; and are not easily killed. When slightly wounded, and 
unable to fly, it is almost hopeless to follow them, in conse- 
quence of their great skill in diving. Their wings being short 
they either cannot rise with the wind, when it blows freshly, 
or they are unwilling to do so, for they are invariably seen to 
rise against the wind. In a calm they get up with considerable 
fluttering. 
The Blue-bills when disturbed by the fishermen along the 
Jersey shore, in the spring, resort to other feeding places; and 
they are frequently observed a short distance below the Phila- 
delphia Navy-yard, particularly at the time when their favourite 
snail-shells begin to crawl up the muddy shore for the purpose 
of breeding. Though often seen feeding in places where they 
can reach the bottom with their bills, yet they seldom venture 
on the shore, the labour of walking appearing repugnant to 
their inclinations. When wounded they will never take to the 
land if they can possibly avoid it; and when compelled to walk 
they waddle along in the awkward manner of those birds whose 
legs, placed far behind, do not admit of a free and graceful 
progression. 
