lOG MICHIGAN BIRD LIFE. 



forward below the hinder end of the nostril. Slightly smaller than the Common Eider, 

 the wing measuring 10.50 to 11.25 inches. 



54. Black Scoter. Oidemia americana Sw. (163) 



Synonyms: American Scoter, Black Coot, Black Sea-coot. — Anas nigra, Wils. — 

 Fuligula americana, Nutt., Aud. — .-Edemia americana, Coues, 1872, Ridgw., 1881. 



Known by the swollen bill, uniform dark color, and absence of white 

 spots on head or wings at any age. 



Distribution. — Coasts and large inland waters of northern North America, 

 breeds in Labrador and the northern interior; south in winter to New 

 Jersey, the Great Lakes, Colorado and California. 



This bird undoubtedly occurs more frequently on the Great Lakes than 

 most people suppose, but as a rule gunners do not discriminate between the 

 females and young of the three species of scoter, hence many of the records 

 are indefinite. Probably, however, this is the least common of the three. 

 Mr, Newell A. Eddy of Bay City obtained a specimen in the market at 

 Bay City, October 26, 1883. Butler in his birds of Indiana does not mention 

 the species, which is odd, since the bird is known to occur regularly on Lake 

 Michigan. Kumlien & Hollister say "Rather common winter resident 

 on Lake Michigan. Less common in the interior, occuriing principally 

 as a migrant in late fall" (Birds of Wisconsin, p. 26). 



It should be looked for in Michigan waters from late October until the 

 following May, but it is most likely to occur in November and April. It 

 feeds largely on shellfish of various kinds, and its flesh is coarse and fishy. 

 It breeds far north, laying white or buffy eggs in a down-lined nest on the 

 ground. The eggs average 2.55 by 1.80 inches. 



TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION. 



Featliering of the forehead extending forward on the bill about as far as that of tl;e 

 sides of the head (lores), and not much beyond the corner of the mouth. Adult male 

 with basal half of bill orange or yellow, the base much swollen, the terminal half black. 

 Entire plumage, including lining of wing, black, without any white patches on head or 

 wings; legs and feet black. Adult female: Grayish brown all over, darker above, lighter 

 below; the bill without the swollen knob at base; the legs, feet and bill plain blackish. 



Length 17 to 21.50 inches; wing 8.75 to 9.50; culmen 1.65 to 1.80. 



55. White-winged Scoter. Oidemia deglandi Bonap. (165) 



Synonyms: White-winged Coot, White-winged Sea Coot, Velvet Duck, Velvet Scoter, 

 Lake Huron Scoter. — Anas fusca, Wils., 1814. — Fuligula fusca, Bonap., Nutt., Aud. — 

 Oidemia bimaculata, Baird, 1858. — Melanetta velvetina, Baird, Ridgw. and others. 



Figure 27. 



Known in any plumage by the swollen bill, uniform black or dusky color 

 and white speculum. Adults show a distinct white spot on the side of the 

 head, below the eye in the male, behind the eye in the female. 



Distribution. — Northern North America, breeding in Labrador and the 

 Fur Countries; south in winter to Chesapeake Bay, southern Illinois, and 

 San Quentin Bay, Lower Cahfornia. 



Undoubtedly this is the commonest scoter of the Great Lake region, 

 occurring regularly on Lakes Huron and Michigan in winter, although 



