GYMNURA. 425 



to the eatholics, who are allowed to eat them on their fast 

 days, in common with fish and white meats. 



The Scoter is about 21 inches in length ; and 34 in alar extent. 

 Protuberance on the base of the bill orange-red, the sides and a line 

 in its middle black, the orange extending over the upper mandible 

 considerably towards the tip ; the edges and lower mandible are 

 black. The orbits yellow. Irids dark hazel. The whole plumage 

 black, inclining to purple on the head and neck. Legs and feet 

 reddish-brown. The female has scarcely any protuberance on the 

 biU. 



Subgenus. — * Gymnura. (OxYURAt. Bonap.) 



The hill broad at its extremity, and with the nail very small and 

 hooked. JVostrils medial, proximate. Tarsus much shorter than the 

 elongated toes ; the legs situated very far behind. Wings very short 

 and concave. Tail long and cuneiform, consisting of 20 narrow, 

 pointed, rigid, and more or less concave feathers : the tail coverts 

 wholly wanting, or undistinguishable from the adjoining plumage. 

 Vent at the extremity of the body. 



The plumage sombre, very thick, compact, beneath silvery with 

 bristly tips. — This small and remarkable species bred in the north, 

 chiefly inhabits fresh-water lakes in which it swims and dives 

 remarkably well, but is averse to taking wing, yet migrates extensive- 

 ly towards the south in the course of the winter. It is nearly allied 

 to Jinas leucocephala, which inhabits the saline lakes and interior 

 seas of Siberia, Russia and Eastern Europe. It appears likewise to 

 have a near affinity with A. jamaicensis of Latham ; and is perhaps 

 identic with A. spinosa of Guiana, if not also with A. Dominica 

 of Gmelin, a native of St. Domingo, and probably only resident 

 there durinof winter. 



t The name of Oxyura having been previously employed for a subgenus of 

 Creepers, it was necessary to alter it. 



36^ 



