106 THE BIRDS OF MAINE 



limited numbers among the outer surf beaten ledges and islands 

 of our eastern coast. It seems very likely that 200 individuals 

 vfould be a very liberal estimate of the numbers which visit our 

 entire Maine coast in winter. 



They feed among the breakers, diving through the waves and 

 seemingly thoroughly enjoying life when unmolested. They feed^ 

 on mussels and other mollusks which they obtain by diving. 

 Their call note is a peculiar whistling sound which the fishermen 

 have imagined was somewhat mouse like, whence probably the 

 name Sea Mouse. In the nesting season they resort to inland 

 localities, placing the nest near to running water, either on the 

 ground or in hollow stumps and trees. Seven eggs were taken 

 at River Saxa, North Iceland, June 21, 1896, and are now 

 before me. They are greenish yellow in color and measure 

 2.35 X 1.57, 2.30 x 1.64, 2.27 x 1.60, 2.28 x 1.62, 2.25 x 1.65, 

 2.25 X 1.60, 2.27 x 1.58. The nest composed of grass, lined 

 with down, was well concealed among plants on the river bank 

 according to the collector. 



Genus CAMPTOLAIMUS Gray. 



156. Camptolaimtis labradorius (^Gmel.) . Labrador Duck; 



Pied Duck. 



Plumage of adult male: "Head, neck, chest, scapulars, and wings (except 

 quills) white; rest of plumage, including stripe on top of head and broad 

 ring around neck, deep black ; stiffened feathers of cheeks brownish white." 

 (Ridgway). Plumage of adult female: "Uniform brownish gray, the 

 wings more plumbeous ; tertials silvery gray, edged with blackish ; second- 

 aries white, primaries dusky." (Ridgway.) Wing 8.70 ; culmen 1.65 ; tarsus 

 1.55 (average of Ridgway's measurements). 



Geog. Dist.— Formerly Northern Atlantic coast from New Jersey (in 

 winter) northward; breeding from Labrador northward; now extinct, (A. 0. 

 U. Check-list). 



County Records. — None, the species being admitted to the list upon the 

 evidence of Audubon (Orn. Biog. 4, p. 271) where he writes: — "It is sur- 

 prising that this species is not mentioned by Dr. Richardson in the Fauna 

 Boreali Americana, as it is a very hardy bird, and is met with along the 

 coasts of Nova Scotia, MAINE (capitals mine, 0. W. K.) and Massachusetts, 

 during the most severe cold of winter." 



