234 



KEY TO THE AVATER 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 

 onlv when the northern winters are unusually severe. 



Sur.GENus MELANITTA Boie. 



(Male.) 



(Female.) 



OIDEniA DEQLANDI Boiiap. 



White=winged Scoter. White=winged Coot. 



Adult iiiah': (leneral plumage black ; upper mandible oran,i>e. blacki.sh 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. 



. Idult fciiiah' : Is tirayish brown, showing; a wash of grayish white at the base of the bill and 



behind the ears: tlie 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 eo-gs are described as being buff or cream color, six to ten in num- 

 ber, the nest being placed on the ground. 



