BLACK SCOTER, EIDER DUCK. 213 



is noted of their occurrence in small flocks on the inland lakes. 

 Yet, more unusual, on two occasions this scoter has been shot 

 whilst apparently searching for food along the bottom of wet 

 ditches and open drains, one of which was obtained at Beg- 

 gar's Bush, near Dublin, and preserved by Mr. Glennon, on 

 whose authority they occur at Achill, and along the west coast 

 of Ireland. 



The scoter exhibits the same unusual appearance as the 

 velvet duck, with this exception, that no single spot of white 

 occurs on the entire of the deeply glossed bluish-black of the 

 plumage. 



Rarely obtained in the Dublin markets, its occurrence is 

 limited to an occasional immature male or female, habited in 

 dull unobtrusive plumage. Very common upon the French 

 coasts during winter, we are informed by Degland that they 

 are captured in hundreds, and forwarded to the French mar- 

 kets, where they are much esteemed as an article of food. 



Habitat Northern Europe. 



GENUS G, SOMATERIA (EIDER DUCK). 



SPECIES 205 THE EIDER DUCK. 



Somateria mollissima. Leach* 



Canard elder. Temm. 



St. Cuthbert's Duck. 



WE have already remarked the preceding genus as interesting 

 to the ornithologist, on account of the various protuberances 

 appearing on the bill. With the present genus we find it 

 more so, the base of the bill being swollen and enlarged to a 

 much greater extent. 



Of large size, and clumsy, ungainly shape, the eider duck 

 nearly equals the brent goose in size, and is of singular beauty 

 in its plumage, the unusual colours of which nature, perhaps, 

 intended as a recompense for its awkward form. 



The present species is one of extreme rarity in its occur- 

 rence, four or five instances alone being noticed of its capture, 

 two or three of which have come under the observation of 

 Mr. R. Glennon. Another specimen, an adult male, was 

 captured alive by Mr. John King of Bremore, Balbriggan, 

 who, attracted by the size and unusual plumage of the bird 

 when struggling to get up some rocks, launched a boat and 

 secured it. On examination it was found to have received 

 a severe injury ; it is now preserved in the fine collection of 

 Dr. C. Farran, of Feltrim.* 



* Thompson. 



