102 NORTH AMERICAN FAUNA 61, FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE 



Austin Clark (1910) reports that "A few were seen at Attu 

 and Agattu." 



Turner is the only observer who states that the surf scoter 

 is "common among the Aleutian Islands," and is "abundant" in 

 winter. He also says that "The surf duck is the svestu'n or 

 whistler, of the Russians." There is much confusion in Turner's 

 account. While the surf scoter does make a whistling sound with 

 its wings, the vocal whistling is so characteristic of the common 

 scoter that if any 1 of the 3 scoters should be so designated, 

 it should be Oidemia n. americana. If sound of wings is the criter- 

 ion, then deglandi is outstanding. Furthermore, Turner (1886) 

 says of O. n. americana, "The male is noted for the gibbosity of 

 pinkish-white near base of bill ; the lower edge of the swelling is 

 deep red, gradually blending with the black of the rest of the bill." 

 Assuredly, this fits perspicillata and not americana, and testifies 

 to Turner's confusion on these species. 



In any case, the surf scoter is comparatively scarce today in the 

 Aleutians. 



Oidemia nigra: Common Scoter 

 Oidemia nigra americana 



Attu: Hoo-vai-ach 

 Atka: Koo-ghang-ach 



Russian (reported at Unimak) : Swiss-toon (No doubt the svestun applied 

 by Turner to perspicillata.) 



Laing (1925) observed the common scoter at Kodiak, March 

 21, 1924, and Friedmann (1935) has recorded a number of 

 specimens from Kodiak Island, though we do not have nesting 

 records from there. Cahalane (1943) noted a small number 

 of these birds in Viekoda Bay in the fall of 1940, and he saw 

 a larger number in Uyak Bay. He also reported that this scoter 

 was numerous in the fall of 1940, along the coast from Katmai 

 to Amalik Bay, but he reported that noticeably fewer birds were 

 seen north of this area. A few were noted in Kaflia and Kukak 

 Bays. 



Osgood (1904) reported a few broods of young on ponds near 

 Lake Clark, and he adds "Females with young were also seen 

 occasionally along the more sluggish courses of the Chulitna 

 River." 



On July 19, 1940, Gabrielson noted adults on Naknek River, 

 and he saw a female with three young on a small lake at Egegik. 

 On July 23, he noted three broods up Kvichak River and noted 

 the species again near Iliamna Lake on July 24 to 26. 



On May 23, 1936, we noted 15 or 20 males among large numbers 



