. The birds of California : a complete, scientific and popular account of the 580 species and subspecies of birds found in the state. Birds; Birds. The Surf Scoter. Taken in Santa Barbara Photo by the Author OLD MAN OF THE SEA mium, orange, and car- mine, and those displayed not only in transitions but in the most abrupt contrasts. x\dd a swelling which involves not only the base of the bill but the whole anterior portion of the head; then a white eye; then two patches of dazzling white on black ground for the rest, and you have this Beau Brummel of the seas. But the ladies like him; they have
. The birds of California : a complete, scientific and popular account of the 580 species and subspecies of birds found in the state. Birds; Birds. The Surf Scoter. Taken in Santa Barbara Photo by the Author OLD MAN OF THE SEA mium, orange, and car- mine, and those displayed not only in transitions but in the most abrupt contrasts. x\dd a swelling which involves not only the base of the bill but the whole anterior portion of the head; then a white eye; then two patches of dazzling white on black ground for the rest, and you have this Beau Brummel of the seas. But the ladies like him; they have to, for they are such homely bodies themselves that the perversity of attraction must be mutual. I have seen a Surf Scoter court- ship in mid-April. Five males are devoting themselves to one female. They chase each other about viciously, but no harm seems to come of their threats; and they crowd around the female as though to force a decision. She, in turn, chases them off with lowered head and out- stretched neck and great show of displeasure. Now and then one flees in pretended fright and with great commotion, only to settle down at a dozen yards and come sidling back. If she will deign a moment's atten- tion, the flattered gallant dips his head and scoots lightly under the sur- face of the water, showering himself repeatedly with his fluttering wings. One suitor swims about dizzily, half submerged, while another rises from the water repeatedly, apparently to show the fair one how little assistance he requires from his feet in starting, a challenge some of his corpulent rivals dare not accept, I ween. I have watched them thus for half an hour, off and on, and the villains still pursue her. Not only are the Surf Scoters present in vast numbers in winter throughout the length of our coast, but quite considerable numbers linger through the summer,—that is to say, the year around. These are evidently immature birds, who have no need to go north to watch their more fortunate el
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1920, booksubjectbirds, bookyear1923
