WATER BIRDS. 105 



53. King Eider. Somateria spectabilis (Linn.). (162) 



Synonyms: Anas spectabilis, Linn., 1758. — Fuligiila spectabilis, Bp., Nutt., Aud. — 

 Somateria spectabilis of authors generally. 



The large v-shaped black mark on the throat usually separates the adult 

 male of this species from the Common Eider; females and young can be 

 separated by careful comparison with named specimens, or with good 

 descriptions, the outline of the feathering at the base of the upper mandible 

 being distinctive. 



Distribution. — Northern parts of Northern Hemisphere, breeding in the 

 Arctic regions; in North America south casually in winter to Georgia and 

 the Great Lakes. 



Like the preceding species this is a rare winter visitor to the waters of 

 the Great Lakes bordering Michigan. The actual records are few. There 

 are two specimens, male and female, in the Kent Scientific Museum (Cat. 

 Nos. 20342, 20343), labeled as collected at Grand Rapids by Thomas 

 Harmer, but without other data. Dr. Gibbs quotes from a letter from 

 W. H. ColHns of Detroit: "Several specimens taken in young and female 

 plumage. One specimen in Smithsonian Institution identified by Pro- 

 fessor Baird, and one specimen in my own collection taken at St. Clair 

 Flats, 1874." Kumhen & Hollister (Birds of Wisconsin, p. 26) say "Al- 

 though this species occurs only as a rare winter resident on Lake Michigan, 

 there are more authentic records than of the Common Eider. Has been 

 taken at Racine, and there is now a specimen in the Milwaukee Public 

 Museum, taken at Milwaukee many years ago." Mr. E. W. Nelson (Bull. 

 Nutt. Orn. Club, I, 41) says: "An adult female taken at Chillicothe on 

 the Illinois River, in the winter of 1874, has been sent to the National 

 ]\Iuseum by W. H. Collins of Detroit, Mich." It seems likely that the 

 last named specimen is the same as one of those noted above by Dr. Gibbs. 

 ]\lcllwraith states that specimens have been seen occasionally in winter 

 near Hamilton and Toronto, usually in immature dress, so that they could 

 be identified only by capture. He adds, however, that "On the 25th of 

 November, 1889, Mr. Cross reports having obtained a fine male in summer 

 plumage, which was shot on Toronto Bay." (Birds of Ontario, 1894, p. 90.) 



Like the preceding this species occurs in small flocks during the coldest 

 weather and its habits are very much like those of the Common Eider. 

 It also has the same breeding range, and its nest and eggs are similar. As 

 a rule the eiders lay only five or six eggs in a set, and when more are found 

 it doubtless is due to the use of the same nest by more than one female. 



The hardy nature of these birds and their ability to dive to great depths 

 for their food, enables them to winter with comfort in the open sea or lake 

 wherever the water is not too deep for them to feed. It seems possible 

 that both species of eider may occur with some frequency in winter on the 

 Upper Lakes, but that their presence is seldom detected because navigation 

 of these waters is so generally suspended at this season. 



TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION. 



Adult male: Similar in color pattern to the preceding species (S. dresseri), but with 

 the head bluish-gray; with less green on the side, the base of the much expanded upper 

 mandible narrowly bordered by black feathers. There is a v-shaped black mark on the 

 upper throat, and the scapulars and tcrtiaries are entirely black. The bill is largely 

 orange, as also the legs and feet; iris l)iiglit yellow. The female and young closely resemble 

 those of the Common Eider, but the fcatliering of the side of head (lores) extends but 

 slightly forward toward the nostril, while in the Connnon Eider the feathering extends 



