ANATID^. 



455 



THE VELVET-SCOTER. 



Q^DEMiA FuscA (LiiinajLis). 



The Velvet-Scoter, easily distinguished from the preceding species 

 by its larger size and the conspicuous whi'e patch on the wing, is 

 far less numerous on our coasts in autumn and winter; but Mr. 

 Cordeaux has observed that in Lynn and Boston ' deeps ' a pair or 

 two are found associating with almost every flock of Common 

 Scoters, and I noticed the same off Southport in Lancashire. 

 Along the south of England it is not unfrequent, though never very 

 plentiful; and it sometimes visits inland waters. Off Northumber- 

 land it is of irregular occurrence in winter, while Mr. George 

 Bolam has recorded an instance of a solitary male bird which 

 frequented the vicinity of the pier at Berwick-on-Tweed throughout 

 the summer and until the middle of Septtmber 1879. On the east 

 side of Scotland it is more abundant than on the west ; and, though 

 said to be common in the Orkneys, it is an unusual visitor to the 

 Shetlands, and rare in the Outer Hebrides. Mr. Booth has reasons 

 for believing that a few pairs have bred in parts of the northern 



