SURF SCOTER 
166. Oidemia perspicillata, 20 in. 
Male black with a white patch on top of the head 
and another on the nape: eye white: bill red, white and 
yellow, with a large black spot near the base. Female 
a uniform grayish brown, lighter below, with a whitish 
patch in front of each eye; young birds are like the 
female but also have a white patch back of the eye. 
That they are very abundant is apparent from the size 
of a single flock seen by Nelson about 10 miles out to 
sea from St. Michaels, Alaska; it formed a continuous 
band for about 10 miles in length and from a half to 
three-quarters of a mile in width. All the * Coots” 
have heavy bodies, making it rather difficult for them 
to rise from the water, along which they run for a few 
yards before springing into the air. 
Nest.—A feather lined hollow on the ground, like that 
of other ducks; eggs creamy buff (2.40 x 1.70). 
oe 
Range.—Breeds from Newfoundland, Manitoba, and 
British Columbia northward; winters south to Virginia, 
Mhio and California. 
