158 NESTS AND EGGS OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



peculiarly dense and puffy patch of velvety feathers about the eye sug-. 

 gesting spectacles, has nesting habits similar to 5. m. dirssen. The eggs 



are also similar. Hab. Coast of Alaska, north to Point Barrow. 



627rt. American Eider — somateria mollissima dresseri. The Amer- 

 ican Eider breeds along the Atlantic coast of North America from Maine 

 to Northern Labrador. It is one of the most characteristic summer Ducks 

 of Labrador and Newfoundland. The nest is built on the ground and 

 consists chiefly of mosses, lichens, hay and seaweed, lined with feathers 

 which the bird plucks for the purpose. The eggs are from six to ten in 

 number, but often fewer; they are plain dull greenish-drab; measuring 

 about 3.00 by 2,00. 



Hab. Atlantic co.ist of North America, from Maine to Labrador; south in winter to the Delaware. 



628. Pacific Eider — somateria v-nigra. This Eider inhabits the 

 coasts of the North Pacific. It is common in suitable places on both 

 coasts and islands of Behring's Sea, and the polar coasts of Siberia; re- 

 placing the Common Eider, S. molissima. Spectacled and Steller's Eiders, 

 Nesting and eggs as usual. 



Hab. Coasts of the North Pacific; i.i the interior to the Great Slave Lake, and Eastern Siberia. 



629. King Eider — somateria spectabilis. Dirty-green; six to ten in 

 number, and measure from 2.60 to 2.65 long by 1.75 to 1.80 broad. This 

 beautiful Eider breeds in the Arctic regions. It is abundant in various 

 places along the shores of the Arctic Ocean, thence south in winter on 

 the Pacific side in great numbers to the Aleutian Islands and beyond. 

 Rare on the Alaskan coast of Behring's Sea. It is one of the rare^st sea 

 Ducks which occur on the New P^ngland coast. In Ohio it is a very rare 

 winter visitor. On November 4, 1880, Dr. Wheaton found a specimen of 

 this species in process of preparation for the table by a market-dealer in 

 Columbus, taken about fifteen miles southeast of the city. A few others 

 have been recorded as taken in the State. The nest of this Eider is placed 

 on the ground and is composed of grasses and weeds, lined with down 

 and feathers from the bird. 



Hab. Northern part of Northern Hemisphere, breeding in the Arctic regions; in North America south 

 casually in winter to New Jersey and the Great Lakes. 



630. American Scoter — cedemia Americana. Pale yellow or buff; 

 oval; six to ten in number; size about 2.25 by 1.60. The American 

 Scoter or Sea Coot is an abundant bird along the coast of Northern North 

 America and also on the larger lakes. In the United States it is found 

 generally in winter. Breeds in Labrador and the northern interior, nest- 

 ing in June and July. The plumage of the adult male is entirely black; 

 that of the female is a sooty-brown, becoming paler below; the female is 



