SPECTACLED EIDER. 



199 



It is to be noted that the autumn plumage of male and 

 female in this species are very nearly alike, dark brown 

 with black mottling, and that the breeding dress does 

 not appear to be assumed until toward spring. 



It is said that the flight of this bird is unusually swift, 

 much more so than that of most other* eiders, and that 

 they usually fly low over the water. 



