ANATIN^ — THE DUCKS — ARCTONETTA. 69 



1872, this species was very abundant at Unalaslika, but that in the same month of 

 the next year not a single one was seen. 



An egg, said to be of this species, obtained in Alaska by IMr. Dall (Xo. 1/5571), is, 

 like that of the Eider, of a pale grayish-green color, measuring 2.20 by l.GO inches. 

 Its identification may, however, be considered as very doubtfnl. 



Genus ARCTONETTA, Gray. 



LamproncUa, Brandt, Mein. Acad. St. Petersb. 6tli Ser. Sc. Nat. VI. 1849 (published 1847 ?), 5 



(type, L. Fischcri, B^nANDT) ; nee Lavipronessa, Wagl. 1832. 

 Ardonctta, GuAV, P. Z. S. 1855, 212 (same type). 



Char. Bill shorter than the head, the basal portion densely covered with soft velvety feathers 

 on the sides quite to the nostrils, and on the culmen to their anterior end ; outline of the feather- 

 ing extending backward and downward in a straight line from the point on the culmen to the 



'°''v:^S?! Jfe^^:! ^;^^?^.^?^^^^L- 



A. Fischeri. 



rictus ; culmen descending in a straight line to the nail, which is broad and slightly arched ; max- 

 illary tomium very straight and regular, the lamellae very slightly exposed along the middle portion. 

 Feathers of the lores and forehead dense, much stiffened, pohiting directly outward ; those of the 

 occiput bristle-like, lengthened, and pendulous ; orbital region covered by a subcircular or subquad- 

 rate mat of very soft, short, dense, and satin-like feathers ; below this a longitudinal stripe of 

 short, stiff, bristly feathers directed backward. Tertials falcate. Tail short, graduated, of fourteen 

 feathers. 



Arctonetta Fischeri. 



FISCHER'S EIDER; SPECTACLED EIDER. 



FuliguU [Lamprondta) Fischeri, Brandt, Mem. Acad. St. Petersb. YI. 1849, 6, 10, 14, pi. 1, figs. 



1-4. 

 Lampronetta Fischeri, Baird, B. N. Am. 1858, 803; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, no. 599. — Eluot, 



Illustr. B. Am. V. pi. 47. — Eidgw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, no. 626. 

 Arctunctta Fischeri, Blakist. Ibis, 1863, 150. 

 Somateria Fischeri, CoUES, Key, 1872, 292 ; Check List, 1873, no. 512 ; 2d ed. 1882, uo. 732 ; Bii-ds 



N. W. 1874, 580. 



