250 



ANSERES. 



(Seebohm, Ibis, 1879, p. 23), and there are two in the Prycr collec- 

 tion from Yokohama. 



The American lilack Scoter breeds on tlie shores of the Arctic 

 Ocean from Labrador to Alaska, and across Bering Straits to 

 Kamtschatka. 



244. FULIGULA FUSCA. 

 (VELVET SCOTER.) 



Annx fusca, Linneus, Syst. Nat. i. p. 100 (1706). 



Head of Fuliyula fusca sfejneyeri. ^ natural size. 



The Velvet Scoter has dark axillaries ; bnt the central secondaries 

 are white. The feathering on the side of the upper mandible 

 approaches within a quarter of an inch of the nostrils. 



The Velvet Scoter was recorded from Japan in 1840 (Temminck, 

 Man. d'Orn. iv. p. 5 13), but it is not mentioned in the * Fauna 

 Japonica/ and we may consequently assume that Temminck dis- 

 covered good reasons for doubting the accuracy of the statement in 

 the earlier work, before the later one was published. 



It has, however, been since found in various localities as a winter 

 visitor. There is a skin in the Pryer collection obtained by Mr. Snow 

 on the Kurile Islands. 



The first record of its occurrence in Yezzo is that of two specimens 

 obtained at Hakodadi, one on the 21th of December, 18G1., and 

 the other shot by Captain lilakiston on the 28th of January, 1865 

 (Whitely, Ibis, 18G7, p. 200). I have a very fine male from the 

 same locality, obtained by Mr. llenson on the 2Hth of February. 



