200 THE VELVET SCOTER 
the name of Black Duck. Although a few scattered specimens 
have been observed from time to time during summer, in most 
parts it must be considered as a winter visitant only. Being 
the only entirely black Duck which frequents our shores, it is 
distinguished among \other species by its colour alone. Small 
parties of these birds may occasionally be seen on different parts 
of the coast, swimming and diving at a short distance outside the 
surf, or flying, three or four together, at an elevation of a few feet 
above the surface of the sea. Large flocks visit the sea between 
us and Holland at times. They fly rapidly in a straight line, and 
when diving remain a long time under water. Their food consists 
of mussels and other shellfish, in quest of which they often ascend 
the creeks and arms of the sea, but they are rarely seen in fresh 
water. 
The flesh of the Black Duck is said to be oily and fishy ; on this 
account it is in some Roman Catholic countries classed with fish, 
and allowed to be eaten during Lent. Insome parts of the Continent, 
where it is consequently in demand, fishermen take advantage of 
its diving propensities, and spread their nets over the mussel banks 
to which they have observed that these birds resort, and capture 
them in large numbers. The nest of the Scoter is described as 
being like that of the Eider Duck, and similarly located. The female 
also covers her eggs with down from her own breast, but in smaller 
quantities. A few of this species remain to breed in the north of 
Scotland. 
THE VELVET SCOTER 
(2DEMIA FUSCA 
General plumage velvet black; below the eyes a white crescent; speculum 
white; bill orange, protuberance at the base, nostrils and edge of man- 
dibles, black; irides and feet red, the membranes of the latter black. 
Female smaller; upper plumage sooty brown; under parts light grey, 
streaked and spotted with dusky brown; between the bill and eye a 
whitish spot, and another over the ear; bill dusky ash; irides brown; 
feet dull red. Length twenty-three inches. Eggs buff. 
Tue Velvet Scoter, an inhabitant of the extreme northern regions 
of Asia and Europe, appears in the British Isles as a winter visitor 
only, being sometimes seen on the eastern coast of Scotland, in 
large flocks, but not generally extending its migration to our southern 
shores except in the severest weather. It may be distinguished 
from the Common Scoter by its larger size, and yet more strikingly 
by the conspicuous white bar across the wing. 
The habits and food of the Velvet Duck differ in no material 
respect from those of the Common Scoter, or Black Duck. 
