The Common Scoter 



silent species, but during the breeding season the male 

 utters a flute-like " tui, tui, tui." 



The male of this species is of a deep black all over, 

 whence it is often locally known as the "Black Duck." 

 Bill black with a bright patch of orange yellow down the 

 centre of the upper mandible. The female and young are 

 sooty brown and lack the orange on the bill. Length 

 20 in. ; wing 9 in. 



THE VELVET SCOTER 



(Edemia fusca (Linnaeus) 



This species closely resembles the last in habits, but is 

 much scarcer round our coasts and generally keeps farther 

 out to sea. 



It is a rather larger bird than the Common Scoter, 

 and of a dense velvety black, with a small white spot 

 behind each eye and a white bar across the wing. The 

 bill is orange yellow, with a large black basal knob and a 

 narrow dark line along the culmen. Legs orange. The 

 female is brown, rather lighter underneath, and has a dull 

 white patch before, and a smaller one behind, each eye. 

 Bill dark. Legs reddish. Length 22 in. ; wing 10*75 in. 



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