150 ANATIDAS 
Voice.—The voice is croaking in character, like that of 
the last species, and not particularly harsh or loud. 
Nest.—The nest is built on the ground among coarse 
herbage, usually near the margin of a lake. The eggs, six 
to eight in number, are of a beautiful pure white colour. 
Incubation does not take place until late in June. 
Geographical distribution.—The Surf-Scoter breeds over 
a great area of North America, chiefly north of the United 
States, though rare in Greenland and North-east Siberia. 
In winter it migrates almost as far south as the West 
Indies on the Atlantic side, and California.on the Pacific 
side. As a wanderer it has occurred in the Faroes, Norway, 
Lapland, the Gulf of Bothnia, Heligoland, and the north 
coast of France (Saunders). 
DESCRIPTIYE CHARACTERS. 
PLUMAGE. Adult male nuptial—Plumage rich inky- 
black, except for a broad patch of white on the top of the 
head and another on the back of the neck. 
Adult male, post-nuptial or eclipse.—An eclipse plumage, 
somewhat approaching that of the female, may be assumed 
by the adult male for a short period in early autumn. 
Adult female nuptial.—Dull brown; lighter about the 
cheeks, breast, and abdomen. There is a white patch— 
more ill-defined than in the male—on the back of the neck, 
and sometimes two white spots on the cheeks. 
Adult winter, male and female.—Similar to the respective 
nuptial plumages. 
Immature, male and female.—Resembles the female in 
plumage, but as a rule there is more white about the 
cheeks. 
Brak. Chiefly orange-red; deeper in tint about the 
nostrils, tip, and sloping ‘basal protuberance.’ On the 
side of the upper segment near the gape, is a large black 
patch. 
FEET. Deep yellow or orange; webs dusky-brown. 
Tribes. Bright yellow. 
