210 A HANDBOOK OF EUROPEAN BIRDS. 
black, especially about the k and breast ; no white except 
on linings of wings and ips coverts and secondaries, 
these forming two white bars ; the speculum imperfect, bluish- 
black. 
Males in first breeding dress: Have grey markings on 
the wing-coverts and flanks (Seebohm). 
Young in first plumage: Somewhat resemble adult 
females, but have no black on the belly (Seebohm). 
Distribution: Breeds on the shores of the Arctic Ocean, 
in Northern Russia and Siberia, occasionally wandering into 
temperate Europe during winter. 
Habitat: Essentially a coast bird, otherwise little is known 
respecting it. 
Genus CEDEMIA. 
COMMON SCOTER. 
G&demia nigra (Lznz.). 
Adult Male: L£xtire plumage glossy black ; bill with patch 
in centre and a shade underneath ye//ow, otherwise black ; legs 
and feet blackish, the webs darker ; irides hazel-brown. Length 
18 to 20 inches ; culmen 1°9; wing 9°4; tail 4 ; tarsus 1°7. 
Adult Female: Feathers of upper parts dark brown, 
darker on head and pale-edged on back ; sides of head greyish- 
black ; chin and throat white; rest of under parts brown, 
shading into greyish-white (brown mottled) on abdomen ; 
wings and tail blackish-brown ; bill black, somewhat swollen 
at base of upper mandible. 
Immature Male: Resembles adult female but has the 
cheeks, chin and throat almost uniform dirty white, freckled or 
speckled with brown ; tubercles at base of upper mandible 
imperfectly developed ; nostrils yellow. 
Young in first plumage: Except for being duller gener- 
ally, very closely resembles adult female. 
Distribution : Breeds in Arctic Europe and North- 
western Siberia, occurring in South-western Europe and down 
the Volga to the Caspian on migration. 
Habitat: The sea-coast except during the breeding season 
