j^j 1 Norton, A Notexvorthy Plumage of the American Eider. ^O"? 



The present new species is here described through tlie kindness 

 of Dr. C. Hart Merriam. The writer is also indebted to Dr. J. A. 

 Allen for the use of material in the American Museum of Natural 

 History ; to Mr. Robert Ridgway for a similar courtesy with regard 

 to the National collection ; and to Mr. Wjlliam Brewster for the 

 loan of specimens of Empidonax cineritius. 



A NOTEWORTHY PLUMAGE OBSERVED IN THE 



AMERICAN EIDER DRAKE {SOAfATERIA 



DRESSERI). 



BY ARTHUR H. NORTON. 



In the ornithological literature there has appeared from time 

 to time, notes reporting the occurrence of the Pacific Eider drake 

 in Atlantic districts of North America. These reports have been 

 based on Eiders having a black V-shaped figure on the throat, a 

 character commonly used, in connection with a white mantle, as 

 diagnostic of Somateria v-fiigra. 



Such records have been questioned, but apparently a final 

 decision has been deferred. Therefore the belief is entertained 

 that a description of certain specimens of Somateria dresseri, taken 

 an the east coast of the United States, is of sufficient interest to 

 warrant its appearance here. 



The present data clearly show that the black lancet is a character 

 of frequent occurrence in the young drakes of 6". dresseri ; and 

 there are strong reasons for the belief that it occurs in S. moUissima 

 borealis. (See Hagerup, Bds. of Greenland, p. 42.) 



During the winter of 1891, I received in the flesh, from 

 Penobscot Bay, Me., a specimen of S. dresseri^ showing marks of 

 immaturity and having a distinct dusky or black lancet on the 

 throat. It being unique in my experience, I wrote to the collector 

 to send any other specimens having black on the throat, with the 



