336 NATATORES. OIDEMIA. SCOTER. 



species), being brought to a narrow rounded point ; the en- 

 tering angle of the forehead also projects, as in the common 

 Eider, as far as the nostrils. The lateral parts of the bill 

 at the base are very tumid, and are particular from the 

 marking there displayed, these swellings being entirely ex- 

 posed, and not in part concealed by the feathers, as in the 

 Velvet Scoter. In the proportions of the wings, and the 

 number of the tail-feathers, it agrees with that bird. The 

 anatomy of the trachea also, according to the description 

 of it by WILSON, in its general character, resembles] that 

 of Old. fusca, for he says, " there was a singular hard 

 expansion at the commencement of the windpipe, and an- 

 other much larger, ab0ut three quarters of an inch above 

 where it separates into the two lobes of the lungs ; this 

 last was larger than a Spanish hazle-nut, flat on one side, 

 Food, and convex on the other. Like its congeners, this bird 

 feeds upon the various bivalve shell-fish and Crustacea, for 

 which it is constantly diving. It is always seen upon the 

 water, and very frequently amidst the heaviest surf, in which 

 it appears to delight, and to sport quite at ease ; and on 

 which account it has obtained in America the trivial name 

 of the Surf Duck. Their skins, WILSON observes, are^very 

 strong, and their flesh coarse, tasting of fish ; and they are, 

 he adds, shy birds, and not easily approached. 



General PLATE 69- represents the Male bird of the natural size. 

 d.escnp- Bill from the angle of the forehead to the tip, only one 



Male. mcn an d a na ^ l n g anc ^ from the posterior part of the 



lateral tubercles, two inches and three quarters in 

 length. The front part of the bill orpiment-orange ; 

 the lateral swollen part having a large patch of black, 

 in front of which is another of a pearl-grey colour. 

 The lamellae of the bill coarse and widely set. Irides 

 cream-white. The whole of the plumage glossy ink- 

 black, with the exception of an angular patch of white- 



