SCAUP.
FULWULA M ARIL A.
FLOCKS of these hardy birds are to tie fouad off almost every portion of our eoasl-line: though by no
means so abundant of late years, I used in former days to meet with immense numbers, during severe
winters, diving for food over the sandy Hats off the shores of Kent and Sussex. In live Bay, where
this species is knowu to the local gunners as the " Frosty-back Wigeon," the whole of the fowl were
much cut up by the hard weather in Dcoemlier lSIi!), and BOM a fishing-smack furnished with a long
gun secured by a breeching in the bows, I obtained several shots at even the largest flocks of Scaup and
Wigeon. These birds seldom make their way inland in the south of England; few, if any, were ever
noticed on the lakes or rivers at a distance from the coast, and the visitors to the harbours or brackish
pools inside the shiugle-hanks were aim. ~\ invariably nipple, tl.nl hnd evaped HI,' -liore-shnoterv
The Norfolk broads, so attractive to Pochards, appear to offer hut few inducements to this species to
prolong their visits when driven in by stress of weather or other causes; a parly numbering from tea
or a dozen up to a score may now and then lie seen on the water, but a move to other quarters is
usually made before many hours have elapsed. While collecting specimens in the east of lloss-shire
and Sutherland in lSfiS and the following year, I often met with these birds on the inland lochs within
a few miles of the coast; they were also repeatedly observed ON the saltwater firths, Hocks numbering
from one to two hundred birds at times affording good sport, while punt -gunning.
In the Dornoch Firth numbers of these birds used to resort at high water to the hanks between
Tain and Moraugie, where food might he obtained, occasionally making their way as far up as Kilderlon
Bay. Unless in want of specimens or to procure some fowl for any of the country people who had
made application, I seldom molested them, as Scaups, in my opinion, are far from palatable when
prepared for the table. 'HIE largest flocks proved exceedingly wild and much averse to allow a near
approach when an attempt was made to and] within range for the big gun; under sail, however, with a
fresh b recite, it was easy to run down within forty or fifty yards before a bird would rise on wing. On
springing from the water the line of fowl, which in most instances had previously spread out, would at
once draw closer, and an excellent chance was not unfreipienlly offered. After the manner of all the
large-foot I'd diving Bucks, the cripples are difficult to recover when a successful shot has been obtained.
Spreading out in all directions and moving rapidly under water, they are speedily out of sight; with tho
slightest ripple on the surface pursuit is almost useless.
On tho lflth of April, 1*77, while driving from Inverness towards the south, along the shores of
the firth, I noticed a score at least of Scaups in company with Mallard, Wigeon, l.oldeneycs, and
Mergansers, all in magnificent plumage and exceedingly tame, swimming in detached parties, and feeding
here and there among the weed-grown blocks of slone within a short distance of HIE road. The tide
was high at tho time, and the birds were plainly visible without the aid of glasses: as they spread out