84 Birds of North Carolina 



Remarks. — The forward extension of the featliers on the culmen will always distinguish this 

 species from 0. amcricnna, while it may be known from degtandi by the absence of white in 

 the wings. (Chap., Birds of E. X. A.) 



Ranije. — North .\merica, breeding far northward; winters from Nova Scotia to North Caro- 

 lina. 



Range in Xorth Carolina. — Coastal region in winter. 



Fig. .54. SiKF ScoTKK (aduli inale). 



Ill writing of Surf S('ot(>r.s on the New England coast, George H. Mackoy in 

 The Auk for July, 1891, say.s, '"they food on black mussels (Modiola 7>inrliolus), 

 small sea-dams (Spisula .'solidi.ssima), scallo])s (Prcten conccniricu!<), and short 

 razor-shells {Siliqua costata), about an inch to an inch aiul a half long, which they 

 obtain by diving. Mussels measuring two and a half inches liy one inch have been 

 taken from them; but usually they .select sea clams and scallops, varying in size 

 from a five-cent nickel piece to a quarter of a dollar. They can feed in about forty 

 feet of water, but prefer less than half that depth." Bishop records Surf Scoters 

 in large numbers at Pea Island in 1901 as late as May 15. 



This bird is sometimes known as "Skunk Head," the name being evidently 

 derived from the sharjily contrasted black and white markings. 



/. 



Genus Erismatura (Bonap.) 

 65. Erismatura jamaicensis ((Inwl.). Ruddy Duck. 



Ad. cf. — ^Top of head black, ciieeks and chin white, throat and back rufous-chestnut, lower 

 back blackish; breast and belly sil\-ery white; upper tail-coverts nri/ short, tail-feathers stijf 

 and poiidrd; bill blue. Ad. 9 ""'/ /"'■ — I'pper|iarls rlark grayish brown, the feathers marked 

 with fine wavy bars of bufTy; sides of head and iipi>i'r throat whitish, lower throat grayish, 

 rest of underparts silvery white. L., l.').()(); \\'., .").i)(); Tar., 1.1."); li., l..'w. 



Remarks. — -The short upper tail-coverts and stiff, pointed tail-featiiers will always serve to 

 identify this species. (Chap., liirds of E. S. A.) 



Runtje. — -North America, breeding mainly northerly, l)Ut locally and rarely as far south even 

 as the \\'est Indies; winters from Maine to ("entral America. 



Range in Korlh Carolina. — Coastal region in winter. 



