AMERICAN VELVET SCOTER. 



Oidemia deglandi Bonap. 



The adult male has the bill expanded into a promi- 

 nent knob at the base on the top. At the sides the bill 

 is sunken, as if hollowed out. This knob, with the base 

 of the bill and its margin, are black. The sides of the 

 bill in front are red, changing- to orange and then to 

 white near the tip. The plumage is uniform black, 

 often very deep or often brownish throughout. There 

 is a small white spot behind the eye and the secondaries 

 are white. 



The female is uniform dirty gray, the wings darker 

 than the body. The secondaries are white, as in the 

 male. The length is about 2 1 inches. 



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