440 WEB-FOOTED BIRDS. 



wan and other fresh waters of the interior in the hyperbo- 

 rean wilderness. Indeed it commonly associates in the 

 summer with the true Ducks, and only frequents the sea 

 coast at the period of its migrations. Their flesh is tender 

 and well flavored. 



The length of the species is about 19 inches } the wing 7 inches 3 

 lines ; the bill from above 1 inch 10 lines ; the tarsus 1 inch 4 lines. 

 — In the 7nale the head and greater part of the neck is greenish- 

 black, reflecting deep violet-purple. Beneath with a dark chestnut- 

 brown collar. Base of the neck, whole dorsal plumage, tertiaries, 

 greater coverts, breast, vent, and under tail coverts, greenish-black : 

 lesser coverts, primaries, and tail, blackish-brown. Secondaries 

 pearl-grey, narrowly tipped with white. Belly white, from which 

 there is a crescent-shaped curve to the shoulder ; flanks and pos- 

 terior part of the belly finely waved with blackish-brown. Bill 

 black; rictus, line round the base, and belt near the tip of the upper 

 mandible, light blue. Irids deep yellow. Legs blackish-brown. 

 Closed wings 3 inches shorter than the tail. 



In the female the upper plumage is dark brown, edged on the top 

 of the head, shoulders, scapulars and breast, with chestnut. Sides 

 of the breast and flanks unmixed dark chestnut. Speculum as in 

 the male. R-egion of the bill, throat, and belly, greyish-white, 

 speckled with brown. Posterior part of the belly liver-brown. The 

 greater extent of the flattened triangular part of the bill next the 

 front serves to distinguish the female of this species from that of 

 the Scaup. 



In the young male a year old, the belly is more clouded, the upper 

 plumage wants the chestnut tints, has a darker color than in the 

 female, and the brown of the collar is not formed. 



Subgenus. — Clangula. Bonap. (Genus of, Boie.) 



With the hill short, narrow and elevated at the base, somewhat 

 attenuated at the extremity. JS^ostrils suboval, somewhat anterior to 

 or near the middle of the bill. Tail rather long, mostly composed 

 of 16 feathers. 



This tribe of Sea Ducks reside generally in high northern latitudes. 



