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THE SCAUP DUCK . — F LOCKING FOWL. 
Fuligula Marila, Linn . 
PLATE COOXOYIL— Male and Female. 
The opinion, derived from Wilson’s account of the Scaup Duck, that it 
is met with only along our sea coasts, in bays, or in the mouths of rivers, as 
far as the tide extends, is incorrect. Had Wilson resided in the Western 
Country, or seen our large lakes and broad rivers during late autumn, win- 
ter, or early spring, he would have had ample opportunities of observing 
thousands of this species, on the Ohio, the Missouri, and the Mississippi, 
from Pittsburg to New Orleans. I have shot a good number of Scaup Ducks 
on all these rivers, where I have observed them to arrive early in October, 
and whence they depart between the 1st of March and the middle of April. 
I have not, however, seen any in small creeks, lagoons, or ponds. When 
they arrive on the western waters, they are seen in flocks of from fifteen to 
twenty individuals ; but in a few weeks these flocks are joined by others, for 
which reason the species is named in Kentucky the “ Flocking Fowl.” 
They are, however, seldom seen close together while on the water, and 
they rarely associate with other birds. 
The Scaup Duck seems to float less lightly than it really does, its body 
being comparatively flat. It moves fast, frequently sipping the water, as if 
to ascertain whether its favourite food be in it. Then turning its head and 
glancing on either side to assure itself of security, down it dives with all 
the agility of a Merganser, and remains a considerable time below. On 
emerging, it shakes its head, raises the hind part of its body, opens its short 
and rather curved wings, after a few flaps replaces them, and again dives 
in search of food. Should any person appear when it emerges, it swims 
off to a considerable distance, watches every movement of the intruder, and 
finally either returns to its former place, or flies away. 
These birds are fond of large eddies below projecting points of land, but 
frequently dive in search of food at a considerable distance from them. 
When in eddies they may be approached and shot with less difficulty than 
when in any other situation. If wounded only, they are not easily secured ; 
in fact, you need not go after them, for by diving, fluttering along the sur- 
face, and cutting backward and forward, they generally elude pursuit. Be- 
