SCAUP DUCK. 
107 
by, feeds on a certain small kind of shell-fish called scaup, 
whence it has derived its name. It is common both to our 
fresh water rivers and sea shores in winter. Those that fre- 
quent the latter are generally much the fattest, on account of 
the greater abundance of food along the coast. It is some- 
times abundant in the Delaware, particularly in those places 
where small snails, its favourite shell-fish, abound, feeding also, 
like most of its tribe, by moonlight. They generally leave us 
in April, though I have met with individuals of this species so 
agrees nearly with the dimensions given of the smaller kind, and I can see no 
other important difference ; but there are also larger-sized birds, known to the 
natives by the addition of “ Keetchee^’’ to the name, and I think it probable that 
two birds may be here confused, which future observations will allow us to 
separate. 
The young of both this bird and the tufted pochard, have a white band circling 
the base of the bill, which has caused them to be described as distinct species. , 
To the description of Wilson, Mr Ord has added the following observations : “ In 
the Delaware there are several favourite feeding grounds of the blue bill along the 
Jersey shore, from Burlington to 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, never quit it 
until they depart in the spring for the purpose of breeding, except when driven 
away in the winter by the ice. It is no uncommon circumstance to see many 
hundreds of these birds 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 approach 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 feathered; and are not easily killed. When slightly wounded, and 
unable to fly, it is almost hopeless to follow them, in consequence 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. 
Though often seen feeding in places whei*e they can reach the bottom with their 
bills, yet they seldom venture on the shore, the labour of walking appearing re- 
pugnant 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.” — En. 
