CDEMIA NIGRA ie 
(@DEMIA NIGRA. (Linneus). 
THE SCOTER. 
Of the breeding-habits of the common Scorer you might probably 
get the best account from Mr. Milner, who found its nests in Iceland. 
It is not very common near here, though much less scarce than the 
Velvet Scoter. It breeds late in the season in islands of rivers or 
lakes and in tussocky parts of marshes—often frequenting the same 
place year after year. The flocks of Scoter generally hold themselves 
away from the shores, but are much less wild than when at sea in 
the winter. The name by which they are called here | Meri-lintu] 
means in English “ Sea-bird.”” It is very pretty to see this child of 
the ocean—more of a fish than a fowl, as our Roman Catholic 
ancestors held it to be—come to enjoy the holiday of the season 
of love in a sunny river or lake. The notes of a number of them 
together have a wonderfully sweet effect. If you wish to give a 
cockney a correct notion of the rich look of a fresh Scoter’s egg, you 
may tell him that it is hke a fully ripe Magnum Bonum plum. 
[This also from the same letter of 2 March, 1855, before cited (pp. 531, 
545, 571).] 
§ 5682. One.—Iceland. From Mr. Proctor, through Mr. 
Hewitson, 184.4. 
Mr. Proctor found only two Scoters’ nests in Iceland (see 
Yarrell, Brit. Birds, ed. 1, ii. p. 228). 
§ 5683. One—Myvatn, Iceland, 1846.. “ H. Milner.” From 
Mr. Graham, 1847. 
Bought of Mr. Graham, but Mr. Milner yesterday [26 October, 
1847] added his name to the inscription. They found this bird 
breeding in little societies, Mr. Graham had vivid recollections of 
having to wade to the nest. This egg is very dirty, having been 
packed in peat ashes, his pet plan. 
§ 5684. One.—Iceland. From Mr. Proctor, through Mr. 
Walter, 1850. 
