The Zoologist — July, 1869. 1759 



small import, but to the poor settlers it is a matter of great consider- 

 ation. The common eider does not breed or assume the adult plumage 

 until the third year : it is called the " sea duck" by the settlers. The 

 young males resemble the females, but lack the tinge of reddish brown 

 which is characteristic of adult females of this and the following 

 species. 



King Eider, S. spectabilis (Z/«w.)— The adult male of this species 

 is a large handsome bird and much sought for by ornithologists, 

 especially those who go to the trouble and expense of visiting either 

 its summer or winter haunts. The king eider, which is called "king 

 bird" in Newfoundland, is tolerably common during its periodical 

 migrations, and is frequently shot in company with the preceding 

 species. On the 17th of December, 1867, I obtained an adult male 

 "king bird;" and on the 19th an immature male: the latter was one 

 of two killed at a shot with eight of the common eider. King eiders 

 are more abundant some seasons than others : in 1865 twenty of these 

 birds were killed at a double shot by one of the settlers at Cow Head. 

 Young males the first year resemble the females, but in the second 

 year have the throat and neck copiously spotted with white. The 

 adult female of this species is easily separated from its congener 

 {S. mollissima) by its much smaller size, its shorter bill, and by 

 having a more decided rufous tinge on the upper plumage. 



Ruddy Duck, Erismatura vubida (fFeVsow).— A rare and uncertain 

 visitor on the north-west coast. 



Goosander, Mergus americanus, Cassin.—A summer migrant and 

 tolerably common : it breeds on the margins of lakes and rivers, and is 

 called the " gozzard " by the settlers. 



Redbreasted Merganser, M. serrator, Linn. — A very common sum- 

 mer migrant, remaining in Newfoundland as long as any open water 

 can be found. At early morning the redbreasted mergansers fly out 

 to sea in large flocks, but return to fresh water in the evening : 

 its provincial name is "shell bird." 



Hooded Merganser, Lophodytes cucullatus {Linn.) — Apparently 



rare on the north-west coast, and generally obtained in the immature 



plumage. 



Henry Reeks. 

 Thruxton, Andover. 



(To be continued.) 



