SEA DUCKS. 117 



men. In both species the culmen is divided by a wedge of feathers reaching 

 forward from the forehead. Looked at from the tip of the bill, the base of 

 the culmen is thus V-shaped. In dresseri the arms of the V are very broad 

 and rounded at the ends, while in borealis they are much narrower and gen- 

 erally pointed at the ends. L., 23-00 ; W., 11-30 ; Tar., T70 ; B., 2-10. 



Range. Breeds from the Bay of Fundy to Labrador ; winters southward 

 to Delaware ; occasional in winter on the Great Lakes. 



Long Island, rare W. V. Sing Sing, A. V., Dec. 



Nest, on the ground, generally sheltered by rocks. Eggs, five to eight, 

 pale bluish or greenish, tinged with olive, 3-00 x 2'00. 



This species is of more southern distribution than the preceding, 

 which it resembles in habits. During their visits to the coasts of the 

 United States the Eiders are true Sea Ducks, living some distance off 

 shore, generally over a bed of mussels, which they secure by diving, 

 and which constitute their chief food. 



162. Somateria spectabilis (Linn.). KING EIDER. Ad. . 

 Eegion about the base of the upper mandible and a large V-shaped mark on 

 the throat black ; top of the head bluish gray ; cheeks greenish ; neck all 

 around white; front and sides of the breast creamy buff; upper back, sides 

 of the ramp, and wing-coverts white ; rest of the plumage black. Ad. $ . 

 Head and throat buify ochraceous, the former streaked with black ; back 

 black, the feathers widely margined with ochraceous or rufous ; under parts 

 varying from brownish gray to fuscous, more or less washed, especially on 

 the breast, with ochraceous or rufous. Im. Paler and with less ochraceous. 

 L., 23-00 ; W., 10-80 ; Tar., 1-80 ; B., 1-30. 



Remarks. The adult male of this species may at once be known by its 

 bluish-gray head and the V-shaped mark on its throat. Females and young 

 birds resemble those of the two preceding species, but are to be distinguished 

 by the generally unstreaked throat and the feathering of the side of the base 

 of the bill, which in this species does not, as in the two preceding, reach to 

 the nostril. 



Range. Breeds from Gulf of St. Lawrence northward, and winters south- 

 ward more or less regularly to Long Island and the Great Lakes ; casually as 

 far as Virginia, and on one occasion Georgia. 



Long Island, regular W. V. 



Nest, on the ground, among rocks or herbage. Eggs, six to ten, light olive- 

 gray to grayish green, 3-12 x 1-92 (Davie). 



While in our waters this species does not differ from the preceding 

 in habits. 



163. Oidemia americana Sw. and Men. AMERICAN SCOTER; 

 BLACK COOT. Ad. $ . Entire plumage black, feathers on the side of the bill 

 extending little if any forward beyond the corner of the mouth ; bill black ; 

 upper mandible orange or yellowish at the base. L., 19-00 ; W., 9'00 ; Tar., 

 1'TO; B. along culmen, 1-75 ; B. along side, 1-85. 



Range. Coasts and larger lakes of northern North America; breeds in 



