. BIRDS MET WITH BY THE WILDFOWLER 319 



beneath), with the exception of a spot behind the eye and 

 speculum, which is pure white. The bill is orange-yellow, 

 with a large black basal knob and a narrow dark line along 

 the culmen. Legs orange. The female is brown, rather 

 lighter underneath, and has a dull white patch before and a 

 smaller one behind each eye. Bill dark. Legs reddish. 

 Length about 22 in. ; wing 10*75 ^^• 



SURF SCOTER 

 Fuligula perspicillata {Ltnnaus) 



This North American species is a rare straggler in 

 autumn and winter to these isles. 



The adult male in summer has the plumage velvety black 

 with a tinge of brown on the throat, and may be known from 

 other Scoters by the presence of a broad patch of white on 

 the forehead and another on the nape. In the female the 

 nape patch is present, though often so faintly marked that it 

 can hardly be seen. There is no white bar across the wing. 

 Length about 21 in. ; wing 9'5 in. 



BUFFEL-HEADED DUCK 



Clangula albeola {Linncetis) 



This species is a very irregular winter migrant to the British 

 Islands, and only two or three examples have been obtained in 

 this country. It inhabits the Northern Nearctic region. It 

 bears a distant resemblance to the Golden-eye, but is con- 

 siderably less in size ; but the male may be recognised by the 

 presence of a large triangular white patch on the side of the 

 head behind the eye. The female is a dull-coloured bird of 

 various shades of brown, and has also a white patch behind 

 the eye. Length 15 in. ; wing 6*75 in. 



