112 THE BIRDS OF MAINt: 



likewise prefer Unios. In spring and fall they are in large 

 flocks, sometimes numbering hundreds, while at other times 

 they are more usually in smaller bands of ten to twelve. In 

 their breeding grounds of the north they are reported to nest 

 inland about the ponds, lakes and marshes, while in Alaska 

 they are said to nest in similar situations to the Eider Duck. 

 The eggs are said so be from six to ten in number, and of a 

 pale buff color. They measure about 2.55 x 1.80. 



Subgenus MELANITTA Boie. 



165. Oidemia deglandi Bonap. White- winged Scoter; 

 White-winged Coot. 



Plumage of adult male : swollen base of.upper mandible entirely feathered, 

 the sides of bill orange ; speculum and spot behind eye white ; otherwise 

 black in plumage ; feathers on bill reaching much beyond corner of mouth. 

 Plumage of immature male ; grayish brown, lighter below and with a white 

 patch on ears and whitish at base of bill; speculum white. Adult and 

 immature female plumage : like the immature male but without the whitish 

 spots on ears and near bill. Wing 10.50 to 11.50 ; culmen 1.55 ; tarsus 1.95. 



Geog. Dist. — Northern North America, breeding in Labrador and the fur 

 countries ; south in winter to Virginia, Illinois and California. 



County Records.— Androscoggin ; fairly common migrant, (Johnson). 

 Cumberland; common, (Brock). Hancock; common in fall, winter and 

 spring, not rare in summer, (Knight). Knox; resident, (Rackliff). Penob- 

 scot ; a small flock seen near the mouth of Pushaw Pond in late April, 1896, 

 (Knight). Sagadahoc; seen the year around, (Spinney). Waldo; common 

 from fall to spring, a very few in summer, (Knight). Washington ; com- 

 mon, (Boardman). 



A very common and generally occurring species along the 

 coast in fall and spring, not rare in winter and likewise seen 

 through the summer but never breeding. Audubon found 

 this species nesting in Labrador in early June, placing the 

 nests under low bushes on the ground near small lakes. The 

 nests were made of twigs and plants, lined with some feathers 

 but no down. The eggs are six to ten in number, measuring 

 about 2.68x1.83. 



Perhaps the best account of the three species of Scoters along 

 the Maine coast which has ever appeared or ever will appear was 



