VELVET-SCOTER 147 
Along the western sea-board of Great Britain (including 
Wales) it is rare. 
To Ireland it is an uncommon visitor in winter, occurring 
chiefly on the north and east coasts, especially on those of 
Louth and Dublin. It has also been recorded from the 
following counties :—Kerry, Cork, Wexford, Down, Antrim, 
Donegal, and Mayo. It appears to be very rarely met with 
on the west coast. 
Like its congeners, it is sea-faring in its habits, and is 
usually met with some miles from land. It very rarely 
seeks the sheltered waters of tidal estuaries and salt-water 
channels, which, after a gale, are often thickly studded 
with multitudes of other species of Ducks. Occasionally, 
however, it has been discovered on inland waters. Velvet- 
Scoters, as a rule, collect into small gatherings, and these 
may associate with multitudes of Common Scoters. 
Food.—This Duck feeds on shell-fish, captured at a con- 
siderable depth in the water. 
Voice.—The note may be described as a low, croaking 
erunt. 
. Flight.—The flight is fast and well-sustained when the 
bird is migrating, but, like its congeners, this species 
endeavours to escape observation by diving rather than by 
taking wing. 
Nest.—The Velvet-Scoter breeds on the ground, gene- 
rally under a bush or among scrub; the site may be at a 
considerable distance from water. The nest is built chiefly 
of dry grass, weeds, bits of stem, and dead leaves, and is 
lined with down. 
The eggs, eight to ten in number, are creamy-white. 
Incubation does not take place until late in June. A few 
pairs may have bred in the Northern Highlands of Scot- 
land (Saunders), but elsewhere this Duck is unknown as a 
nesting-species in the British Isles. 
Geographical distribution. — Abroad, it breeds in 
Northern Europe and is common in parts of Scandinavia 
and Russia, also in Western Siberia. In winter it migrates 
to the seas of Europe, southward to the Mediterranean and 
eastward to the Caspian and Black Seas. 
DESCRIPTIVE CHARACTERS. 
PLUMAGE. Adult male nuptial.—Plumage rich velvety- 
black, except for a noticeable white bar which runs 
