336 NEW-YORK FAUNA BIRDS. 



THE BROAD-BILLED COOT, 



FuLIGULA AMERICANA. 



PLATE CIX. FIG. 242. 

 (STATE COLLECTION.) 



Anas nigra. Wilson, Am. Orn. Vol. 8, p. 135, pi. 72, fig. 2. 



Oidemia id. Bonaparte, Ann. Lye. N. Y. Vol. 2, p. 390. 



Oidemia americana. Richardson, F. B. A. Vol. 2, p. 450. 



F. id. Audubon, B. of Am. Vol. 6, p. 343, pi. 403 (male and female). 



American Scoter Duck, F. id. Nuttall, Man. Om. Vol. 2, p. 423. Giraud, Birds of Long island, p. 331. 



Characteristics. Entirely black : no mirror. Protuberance on the black bill orange yel- 

 low, including and not extending beyond the nostrils. Female, dusky 

 brown; bill uniform dusky. Length, 18 - 0. 



Description. Greatest breadth of the bill 0'9, and equal to the height of the central pro- 

 tuberance. Nostrils oblong-oval, medial : end of lower mandible enlarged. Tarsus 1 ' 8, and 

 much compressed : middle and outer toe subequal, 3"0 long. Tail short, pointed, of sixteen 

 acute feathers ; the central pair 1 ■ 5 longer than the outer ones. 



Color. Male, uniform biack ; underneath the wings glossy light ash. Iris brown. 

 Female : protuberance on the bill scarcely evident ; whole bill uniform brownish black. 

 Uniform color dusky brown ; lighter beneath. 



Length, 17-0-19-0. 



This duck, which is known on this coast under the name of Broad-hilled Coot, and farther 

 east by the name of Butter-bill, is described in the books under the name of American Scoter 

 Duck. It is by no means as common as the preceding, although in some seasons it is very 

 abundant. Until recently, it has been confounded with the F. nigra of Europe. Food, 

 fishes and marine shells. It breeds from Labrador northwardly. Its geographical range 

 similar to the preceding. Confined. 



