ANATIUJi;— THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 177 



8. dresseri. Adult male with lobe or angle of bill broad and rounded at posterior ex- 

 tremity, its length, from anterior extremity of loral feathering. 1.75-2.00; width across 

 middle, not less than .45; blaeli of head bordered bi'low by pale green for nearly the whole 

 length; /eni a ;« with angle of bill about 1.87x.a2, depth of upper mandible at base .78. 



The third American species, the Pacific Eider {S. v-?iigra) is 

 a larger and finer bird than either of the eastern species. It 

 resembles them in color but has a large V-shaped black mark 

 on the throat and a bright orange-colored bill. It inhabits the 

 northwestern parts of the continent, as well as northeastern 

 Asia. 



Somateria dresseri Sharpe. 



AMESICAN £ID£R. 

 Popular synonjrms. Wamp (Connecticut); Squam Duek (Maine); Big Sea Duck (Long 



Island). 

 Anas moltissima WiLS. Am. Orn. viii, 18U. 122. pi. 71 (mec Linn.). 

 Fuligula iSomateriti) molUsalma Nutt. Man. ii, 1831, 407. 

 Fuligula mollissima AuD. Orn. Biog. iii. 1835, 344; v, 1839. (ill. pi. 240; Synop. 1839.291; 



B. Am. vi. 1843, 349. pi. 405. 

 Somateria mollissima Bonap. Comp. List, 18S8, 57 (part).— Baibd. B. N. Am. 1858.809; 

 Cat. N. Am. B. 1859. No. COC— CouES. Key. 1872. 293; Chock List, 1873. No. 513. 

 Somateria dresseri Suabpe. Ann. Mag. N. H. July. 1871. 51. llgs. 1.2.-B. B. &. R. Water B. 

 N. Am. ii. 1884. 70.— A. O. U. Cheek List. 1886. No. 160.— Eidow. Man. N. Am. B. 1887.110, 

 Sotnateria mollissima. var. (?) dresseri CouES. Birds N. W. 1871. 580. 

 Somateria mollissima dresseri ElDOW. Proo. U. S. Nat. Mus. iii, 1880, 20.5, 222; Nom. N. 

 Am. B. 1881. No. 627 a.— CouES, Check List. 2d ed. 1883, No. 731. 



Had. American coa-its of the North Atlantic, from Maine, Newfoundland, etc., to Lab- 

 rador; in winter, south to Long Island, Delaware, Ontario, Wisconsin, and northern Ohio 

 and IlUnols. 



8p. Cbab. Adult male: Similar to S. m,ollissima, but the "cere" very much broader 

 (.38 to .50 of an inch wide anteriorly), much corrugated, the posterior oxtromily broad 

 and rounded; green of tho head rather more extended, usually following along under- 

 neath the black almost or quite to the bill. "Bill pale grayish yellow, the unguis lighter, 

 the soft tumid part pale flesh-color; iris brown; feet dingy light green, the webs dusky" 

 (AoBUBON). Adult female: Scarcely distinguishable from that of S. mollissima. but basal 

 angles of the maxilla deeper and broader. "Bill pale grayish green; iris and feet as in 

 the male" (AudoboNi*. Downy young: Not distinguishable from that of .S. mollissimaO). 



Total length, about 21.00 to 2«.IH) inches ; extent, 39.00 to 42.00; wing, 11.15-11.50; culmen, 

 1.95-2.40; from tip of bill to end of basal angle. 2.75-3.35; greatest width of ancle. .38-.5'J; 

 tarsus, 2,00-2.20; middle toe, 2.50-2.70 (six examples). 



Though nearly related to the true Eider of Europe (S. moUk- 

 sima), the American Eider is clearly distinct. Its habits, how- 

 ever, are much the same. 



• The fresh color of an adult male rooclvcd at the National Musfruin from Wood's Holl. 

 Massacbusett.H. February 24, 1888, were as follows: Lubes of bill, as far us the nostrils, dull 

 olay-yellowlsh, lighter ami more tinged with olive along lower edge; nails of bill dull 

 grayish greenish white: rt-st of bill born-grayisb: feet light yellowish ullve, the webs 

 grayish dusky. 



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