SM ALLEY: PACIFIC EIDER IN BRITISH WATERS. 71 



On March 29th, 1906, I received from Sam Sutherland 

 another adult drake showing a similar V-mark on the chin. 

 In the foUowmg May I was in London, and by the kindness 

 of Dr. Hartert, of Tring Musemn, Mr. J. L. Bonhote and 

 I examined at our leisure the series of skins of the true 

 8. v-nigrum and compared them with the two drakes above 

 mentioned. We all, that is. Dr. Hartert, Mr. Bonhote 

 and myself, came to the conclusion that the birds obtained 

 in Orkney were 8. molUssima, and not 8. v-nigrum. No one 

 could possibly confuse the two species when seen side by 



'*■ 



I i 



A. Cliin and Throat of a male Pacific Eider (S. v-nigrum) ; B. Cliin and 

 Tliroat of a male Common Eider {S. molUssima) sliowing an indistinct 

 v-mark. 



side, the superior size, orange-coloured beak and legs 

 (which remain orange when dry) and the long, bold, clear- 



