DUCKS, GEESE AND SWANS OF NORTH AMEIilCA. 



77 



Subgenus PELIONETTA Kaup. 



01 DEMI A PERSPICILLATA {Linn.). 



Surf Scoter. Sea Coot. Skunk=head Coot 



Adult male : General plumage, black, no white on the wing ; liead, black, with a white 

 patch on the foielicad and nape; feathers on the bill less than one half inch from the 

 nostril. 



A pccuhai- hijjlily eoloved liill is one ot tlie distiui^nishiug mark.s of tli(> male of this speciest 



(AlMlv.) 



( KeniaU'.) 



it heiug orange, yellow, black, and white, the feathers on the top of the bill extending ranch 

 farther forward than on the sides. 



Femalr mul immature : Brownish, showing a wliitish spot at the l>ase of the I)ill, and 

 back of the eyes; the female having the upi)er jiarts, brownish; under parts, asliy graj^, 

 shading into whitish on the belly. 



Length, 20.50; wing, 1).60; tarsus, 1.(j.t; liill (cuhncn), 1..50; side measure, '2.35. 



This species may always he distinguislied from 0. Americana by the for- 

 ward extension of the feathers on the top of the bill, and from 0. Deglandihj 

 the absence of the white wing patch. 



It is one of onr most common Sea Ducks, called " Coots " by gunners, and 

 occurs both on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, and the large interior lakes. It 

 ranges south in winter to Florida and Lower California, and strao'slers have 

 been taken in Jamaica. It lirceds north of the United States, the eggs are 

 described as being jiale buff or dull white, and are usually from five to eight 

 in number. 



