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November 26, 1961 - The ScotersI * • 7 Sk (I to r) Surf, Common, and While7winged Srolerj*; Exclusive Sunday Review Sketch by Dennis Puleston of Brookhaven [Focus I THE SCOTERS on Nature My first experience with scoters was many years ago when I was just a boy. I remember going up to the sound with my Dad to see "how the boys made "out coofing ". Just what the term c o o t i n g meant .I had no idea and question after question came forth followed by answers that told me of the local duck hunters who would get up long before sunrise, launch their boats in the cold, raw mor- ning and "string out" in the sound to await the early flight. This type of stringing out I later found out was at one time one of the great duck hunter at- tractions of the Atlantic s e a- board. Hunters -would line. their boats approximately two g u n- shots.apart and lie and wait until the passing flocks of coots would move by during the early morning hours. This type of gunning was much overdone and therefore an untold slaughter. usually took place. To- day federal bag limits have par- tially eliminated this problem, but "here is an early season for off- shore coot- shooting that proves there are still a few ardent fol- lowers of this so- called .sport. These few accept the challenge under adverse conditions however, for it is difficult to hit ` h e s e low, fast flying ducks w h i l e cramped in a wet, bouncing boat off shore. I am sure the modern generation must find the com- fortable pre heated duck b l i n d more to its liking. Looking back I remember that the boats would come rowing in about 9 or 10 o'clock, some being almost swamped in the surf while others, under the hands of more experienced boatmen, would ride high on the beach out of harm's way. Then after much pulling and tugging and carrying of gear I would have a chance to l o o k over their catch of coots. Some were all black with only a patch of white on their wings (t h e white - winged scoter); some were all black with a white patch on the forehead and a long triangu- lar patch of white on the nape pointing backwards (surf scoter or skunk head); while still a third and lesser group were completely black without any markings at all (American scoter). This last group is the only all black duck found 'in this country.. All had the peculiar shaped bill made ,up of bright orange - yellow colors' that contrasted sharply with their black bodies. The pity of this sport lies in the fact that these ducks ' are not too palatable to most because of their eating habits and therefore they were probably not used and t r w n away or possible given to an old timer who had the magic,foAula to convey; these into an edible dish. Since those early days I have followed these ducks from year by Paul Stoutenburgh to year with my binoculars and have learned much about their habits. These are truly sea ducks, although our bays occasionally find them in small flocks, but nothing like the large rafts seen in the ocean, and -sound. Usually the mussel beds around h e r e prove the greatest area for ob- serving and I have literally seen them by the thousands off shore in the sound when they have been feeding. Scattered groups can, also be seen almost anywhere there are rocks for mussels, barnacles, oys- ters and crustaceans make up 90 per cent of their diet. The scoters have a tremendous stom- ach and the ability of the gizzard to grind and dissolve shells •is. almost unbelievable. Clams, oys- ters, and mussels, some measa ^- ing over 2" in diameter, are swallowed whole and assimilated by the stomach. One of the unknown tragedies during feeding is when an opened mussel clamps tightly on the-ton- gue of one of these feeding scot- ers. This' predicament can only lead.to death by drowning. Here we see another chapter in the tales of woe that make up this world of natural history. Of the three-scoters, the white - winged is the largest and most numerous. All have some diffi- culty gettirig off the water on a calm day but with help gained by paddling along the surface the are soon airborne. Whenever there is a . breeze, they take off i.-ito it and knowing this, the hunter play his deadly part accordingly. 'As you will note from observ- ing the scoter, they belong to a great clan of divers and swim- mers. And so, nature has pro- vided them with. a few extras to help. The fee` are located farther back and are generally larger than most ducks, plas they are provided with an extra lobe *or flap above the foot. This is not found in ducks such as black, mallard, etc. ,They seem almost 'as much at home under water as they do above and when pursued un4er- water their wings are used to gain extra speed in swimming. I, have seer this pursuit and watch their wings pumping con- tinually along their sides in a half - opened position. September and October see the scoters making their appearance along our coast coming d o w n from the north. Many pass right on.through and winter somewhere along the- coast as far south as Florida. Others stay here a1I winter, drifting rap and down our perimeter from one f e e d .i n g to. another. By May most have left f o r their northern breeding grounds that extend from Alaska to New- foundland and down into Canada. Few men have had the pleasure of seeking out their nesting sights for from what I can find out they not only conceal their nest well but locate it in some of the most inaccessible and desolate areas on this continent. Perhaps this wild and lonely area is their salvation for they have surely been able to With- stand the continued pressures of our so- called civilization. E a c h year when the hint of fall is carried by the north wind, I once again look far the familiar flights of the scoter as they dip along the rolling surf between o n e trough and then another — now in sight — now out of sight — but always in my memory. Field Observations: Peter Kujawski reports: Cutchogue — November 18 Bar- owl Mrs Betty Mackenzie reports: Bayport = November 19 Florida Gall'inule L. R. Ernest reports: Southampton — November 18 Evening grosbeak (female) at feeder Woodcock (2) Mecox — November 19 Black- crowned night heron North Sea — November 20 Bufflehead (6)