AMERICAN SCOTER. 



Oidemia americana Sw. and Rich. 



In the adult male the entire plumage is deep black; 

 the neck shows faint purplish reflections ; the fore part 

 of the bill and a line running back to the feathers, along 

 the cutting edge, black ; the remainder of bill, from be- 

 fore the nostrils, much swollen, and bright orange in 

 color ; the legs and feet are black. 



The adult female has the bill entirely black. Above, 

 the plumage is dark grayish-brown ; the feathers of the 

 cheeks, back and scapulars often tipped with paler ; the 

 lower parts are more nearly gray. The length is about 

 1 8 inches. 



The scoter is a bird of very wide distribution, being 

 found on both coasts of North America, as well as on 



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