304 BAY, SEA OR DIVING DUCKS 



distinguished from the adult by the immature wing and the breast-plumage. After 

 the first summer moult the second winter plumage is assumed, which is almost 

 adult, but the young birds are more heavily barred above, and the breast is more 

 mottled but lighter than in the adult. After the second summer moult, when a 

 little over two years old, the fully adult plumage is assumed. 



The sequence of moults of young Northern and Pacific Eiders is similar to 

 that of the American Eider. In the immature plumages the bill-processes de- 

 scribed above will distinguish the American Eider. Wing of Male. (1st autumn) 

 As in adult female but secondaries, greyer, and white tips absent; white tips to 

 greater coverts, absent or poorly defined; tertails, dusky, narrowly edged with buff. 

 (2nd autumn) Wing coverts, brownish; inner secondaries and tertials, white, edged 

 with dusky (pure white in adult male). Wing of Female. (1st autumn) As in 

 juvenile male but tertials, shorter than in adult female and less sickle-shaped. (2nd 

 autumn) Wing, still immature. 



SPECIMEN IDENTIFICATION 



MALE. WINTER PLUMAGE: General effect: A very large duck, with creamy- 

 white upperparts and chest, and black breast and sides. Chief distinguishing features 

 (a) hind toe with lobe, (b) bill-processes (fig. 51), see "Description," (c) very 

 large size. 



The male can be confused only with the Northern Eider of the Pacific Eider; 

 from the former it is told by the bill-processes described above; and from the 

 latter by the bill-processes and by its lack of the V-shaped black chevron on the 

 throat. The King Eider has the black V on the throat (as does also the Northern 

 Eider, occasionally) and its bill-processes are entirely different. No confusion should 

 arise in separation from the distinctive Stellar's, King or Spectacled Eiders, or 

 any other duck. 



AUTUMN AND JUVENILE PLUMAGE: See "Descriptions." 



FEMALE. General effect: A very large duck of heavily-barred, rich-brown 

 coloration. Chief features (a) hind toe with lobe, (b) bill processes (fig. 51), see 

 "Description." 



All female eiders are markedly alike in coloration, being rich-brown, heavily- 

 barred ducks. The three that are most alike are the American, Northern, and 

 Pacific Eiders; the bill-processes and feathering on the bills, detailed above, are 

 the most ready means of distinction between them. The female Steller's Eider is 

 much smaller, and has a mallard-like speculum. The female King Eider has a 

 blackish-brown speculum, bordered inwardly only, with white bars, and is redder 

 in coloration than the other female eiders. The female Spectacled Eider shows a 

 clearly discernible circle of finely-marked, pale-brown feathers around the eye. 



FIELD MARKS 



(To be looked for one on the North Atlantic coasts and in James Bay and Hudson 

 Bay.) Next to the Pacific Eider, these are the largest ducks; they are heavy, clumsy- 

 looking birds; not distinguishable, except in hand, from the Northern Eider, with 

 which they intergrade. 



ON THE WATER. By its large size, white back and foreparts and black 

 sides, the male is readily recognized. When the bird is swimming, the neck is 

 drawn in and the bill points downward; the tail cocks somewhat upward; and 

 when the bird is startled, the neck is stretched up and is much elongated. The 

 female may be recognized by its large size and rich-brown, heavily-barred col- 

 oration and by the shape of the head, the forehead, and culmen being practically 



