OIDEMIA. SCOTER, 



Generic Character. 



Rostrum basi tumidum, mag- 

 num, validum, subcylin- 

 dricum, elevatum, versus 

 apicem depressum, obtu- 

 sum ; lateribus laminatis 

 crassis instructis. 



Nares ovales, elevatae, fer 

 in medio rostri positae. 



Beak swollen at its base, 

 large, strong, subcylindric, 

 elevated, towards the tip 

 depressed, obtuse ; the 

 edges furnished with coarse 

 lamella?. 



Nostrils oval, elevated, placed 

 nearly in the middle of the 

 beak. 



OIDEMIA. Fleming. 



ANIA. Leach in Brit. Mus. Coll. 



SCOTERS have a large, strong, and elevated beak, 

 which is more or less swollen at its base ; it is some- 

 what cylindric in form, with the part towards the tip 

 depressed, the tip itself very obtuse, and furnished 

 with a very small nail ; its edges are broad and flat, 

 and very coarsely pectinated : the nostrils are oval 

 and projecting ; they are situated towards the middle 

 of the beak. All the known species are distinguished 

 by a dull and fuliginous garb and inelegant form. 

 They usually reside near the sea-coasts in preference 

 to fresh waters. 



