. Feathered game of the Northeast . larger inland lakes, and is alsorepresented in the Old World by a species veryclose to our own bird. They breed through the interior from thenorthern States of the Union northward intothe Arctic regions, and along both coasts ofNorth America north from the Gulf of St. Law-rence in the east and from British Columbia inthe west, by far the greater number going wellbeyond civilization. They make a large nest,usually placed at the edge of some body offresh water, line it with down from their ownbodies, and in it lay from six to eight often breed far in
. Feathered game of the Northeast . larger inland lakes, and is alsorepresented in the Old World by a species veryclose to our own bird. They breed through the interior from thenorthern States of the Union northward intothe Arctic regions, and along both coasts ofNorth America north from the Gulf of St. Law-rence in the east and from British Columbia inthe west, by far the greater number going wellbeyond civilization. They make a large nest,usually placed at the edge of some body offresh water, line it with down from their ownbodies, and in it lay from six to eight often breed far inland and a long wayfrom salt water. Though every season a goodsized flock summers among the outer islands ofCasco Bay there is no evidence of their breedingthere, and they are probably the crippled birdsleft behind by the spring flight, unable to con-tinue their journey at the time and so unmated. Apparently slow and heavy, when once on thewing their flight is powerful and often longprotracted, usually traveling low over the water. oou Q< IX u < a. THE PATCH-HEAD COOT 403 save when migrating, at which time they oftenrise to a considerable height. Their food consists of shell-fish, sea-weeds,and small fish. Their meat is dark, and exceptwhen it is from a young bird can scarcely beconsidered eatable. This is perhaps the most common duck of theAtlantic coast. THE PATCH-HEAD COOT. (Oidemia perspicillata.) Next of the Scoters in point of numbers is thePatch-head Coot, also called Horse-head,Goggle-nose, Skunk-head, and otherequally romantic and euphonious titles. Thisspecies is fairly abundant on the eastern coastof North America, going farther south dur-ing the winter months than does either ofthe other two. They are not uncommon inFlorida, are found in the Great Lakes, and arealso abundant on the Pacific coast. This bird breeds throughout the interior inhigh latitudes and all along the northern coastof the continent. The male in breeding plumage is glossy black. 404 FEATHERE
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