Desckiptive List 83 



belly whitish faintly barred with duskv. L., 19.00; W., 9.00; Tar., 1.70; B. alont; culmen, 1.75; 

 B. along side, 1.85. (Chap., Birds of E. N. A.) 



Range. — North America and eastern Asia, breeding in northeastern Asia, and extreme north- 

 ern America; winters as far south as North Carolina. 



Range in North Carolina. — Coastal region in winter. 



The Scoter is a common winter species in Pamlico and Core sounds, but is more 

 numerous, perhaps, on the ocean, especially in favorable weather. "Sea Coot" is 

 the common local name for this and the two following species. All three of the 

 Scoters occur regularly during the winter on New River, in Onslow County. They 

 all come in readily to Blackhead decoys. 



63. Oidemia deglandi {Bonap.). White-winged Scoter. 



Ad. d'. — A spot below eye and speculum lohile, rest of plumage black; bill orange, black at 

 base, the feathers on it reaching forward far beyond corners of mouth. Ad. 9 and Jm.cf. — 

 Grayish or fuscous-brown, lighter below; speculum white, feathers at base of upper bill and a 

 spot on the ears whitish. L., 22.00; W., 11.00; Tar., 2.00; B. along culmen, 1..50; B. along 

 side, 1.55. 



Remarks. — The white speculum and feathering of the bill will always serve to distinguish 

 this species from its allies. (Chap., Birds of E. N. A.) 



Range. — North America, breeding mainly north of the United States, wintering from Gulf 

 of St. Lawrence to North CaroUna or farther south. 



Range in North Carolina. — Coastal region in wintei . 



Pig. 53. White-winged Scoter (adult male). 



This bird is often seen associated with the two other scoters; in fact, the habits 

 of the three are very similar. None of the scoters are much shot in North Carolina 

 waters. New England sportsmen hunt them persistently, probably for the lack of 

 better fowl, as the Scoters are among the most numerous of all sea-fowl on those 

 Ijleak shores. Usually they are shot from boats, a long line of which are anchored 

 off shore at right angles to the coast in a territory much frequented by the birds 

 in flight. In winter they occur regularly in large numbers on Pamlico Sound. 



64. Oidemia perspicillata (Linn.). Surf Scoter. 



Ad. cf . — A square mark on crown and a triangular one on nape wliite, rest of plumage 

 black; bill with white, red and yellow, a black spot on its side at base; feathers on culmen 

 extending nearly to a level with nostril, feathers on side of biU not extending forward. Ad. 9 

 and Im. — A whitish spot at base of the biU and on e.ars; upperparts fuscous-brown; throat, 

 breast, sides and lower belly grayer, belly white. L., 20.00; W., 9.30; Tar., 1.60; B. along 

 culmen, 1.55; B. along side, 2.30. 



