THE SCOTERS. 43 



t>e 24th of June, and that they bred in small numbers on 

 Cape Union. In Alaska, Mr. Nelson says, it is very seldom 

 found on the mainland, and generally on the sea, but on the 

 Siberian side of Bering Straits it is more common, and asso- 

 ciates in immense flocks with Steller's Eider Duck. In its 

 general habits the present species resembles the Common 

 Eider. 



Nest. Resembles that of the Common Eider Duck, but is 

 generally less compact, and often consists of a mere depression 

 in the ground, the lining being composed of the bird's own 

 down. 



Eggs. Generally six in number, of a greenish stone-colour 

 or clay-brown. Axis, 2*55 -2*8 inches ; diam., 175-1-9. 



THE SCOTERS. GENUS CEDEMIA. 

 Oidemia, Fleming, Phil. Zool. ii. p. 260 (1822). 



The Scoters belong to the same section of the Diving Ducks 

 as the Long-tailed Duck and the Harlequin, but are chiefly dis- 

 tinguished by their black plumage, which is quite peculiar to 

 them, the females being also greyish-brown without any barring, 

 as is seen in most of the Anatida. They are entirely marine 

 in their habits, and are of sombre plumage. 



Six species of Scoters are recognised by Count Salvadori, all 

 of them arctic birds in the breeding-season, going south in 

 winter. They are inhabitants of the northern parts of both 

 hemispheres. 



I. THE COMMON SCOTER. (EDEMIA NIGRA. 



Anas nigra. Linn. S. N. i. p. 196 (1766). 



Oidemia nigra, Macg. Br. B. v. p. 140 (1852). 



QLdemia nigra. Dresser, B. Eur. vi. p. 663, pi. 449 (1877); 



B. O. U. List Br. B. p. 135 (1883); Saunders, ed. Yarr. 



Br. B. iv. p. 472 (1885) ; id. Man. Br. B. p. 453 (1889) ; 



Lilford, Col. Fig. Br. B. part xii. (1892) ; Salvad. Cat. B. 



Brit. Mus. xxvii. p. 401 (1895). 

 Fnligula nigra, Seebohm, Br. B. iii. p. 602 (1885). 



Adult Male. Black all over, the head glossed with dark purple 

 and the back with greenish ; under surface of body somewhat 

 duller black, and having a slight shade of brown ; bill black, 



