234 



KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FLORIDA. 



in winter south to Florida and California. I have killed specimens on the 

 Indian River and saw it at Lake Worth, although it cannot be considered as 

 a common bird in Florida every year, probably occurring there in numbers 

 only when the northern winters are unusually severe. 



Subgenus MELANITTA Bote. 



4 



(Male.) 



(Female.) 



OIDEHIA DEGLANDl Bona/>. 



White=winged Scoter. White=winged Coot. 



Adult male: (General plumage black ; dipper mandible orange, blackish at the base: a white 

 spot under the eye and a broad patch of white on the wing ; feathers on the bill less than 

 one half inch from the nostril. 



Adult female : Is grayish brown, showing a wash of grayish white at the base of the bill and 

 behind the ears ; the speculum is white, which is a distinguishing character of this species. 

 Length, 21 ; Wing, 11. 15 ; Tarsus, 2 ; Bill (culmen), 1.75 ; side measure, 2.75. 



It breeds from Labrador northward, ranging in winter South to Florida 

 and California. I found it on the Banana River and Lake Worth during 

 the winter of 1894-5. 



The eggs are described as being buff or cream color, six to ten in num- 

 ber, the nest being placed on the ground. 



