J. Delacour—The Velvet Scoter in Captivity



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“ When singing the Tui puffs out its plumage and with throat and

beak open and tongue slightly protruding, with much gesticula¬

tion, pours out its song,” says Mr. Oliver in his book on New Zealand

birds. The skins, after head, wings, and tail had been removed, were

dried in a cylindrical form and used by the Maori women as ear-

pendants.



THE VELVET SCOTER IN CAPTIVITY


By J. Delacour


In the early months of 1932 my friend, M. B. Homberg, sent me

two male Velvet Scoters (CEdemia fusca) from the sea shore near the

Somme estuary. He had been endeavouring for some time to procure

for me some of these interesting birds alive, by shooting them slightly

in the neck, at long range, with very small shot. Both birds arrived

in fairly good condition, but of course with rather stiff necks. One

survived only a few months, while the other one gradually improved,

and eventually recovered completely. Let out on the lake, the bird

soon became very tame and greedy, eating readily soaked dog biscuit,

bread, and even grain ; meat was never touched, but worms and

water insects no doubt somehow supplemented its diet.


Its picture was taken in 1936, after over four years in cap¬

tivity and the Velvet Scoter looked perfect, till about a year ago,

when he began to show signs of old age ; the nail of its bill grew too

long, and we had to cut it; its general appearance became gradually

that of an aged bird. It died early this year.


I have never yet seen another Velvet Scoter in confinement, nor

heard of any having been kept in captivity for more than a few weeks.

Ours lived at Cleres just about six years.


A beautiful male Long-tailed Duck, caught and sent to me by

M. Homberg at the same time, and by the same method, is still in

perfect condition.


We also have a pair of Australian Sheldrakes (Casarca



