250 ANSERES. 



(Seebohm, Ibis, 1879, p. 23), and there are two in the Pryer collec- 

 tion from Yokohama. 



The American Black Scoter breeds on the shores of the Arctic 

 Ocean from Labrador to Alaska, and across Bering Straits to 

 Kamtschatka. 



244. FULIGULA FUSCA. 



(VELVET SCOTER.) 



Anasfusca, Linneus, Syst. Nat. i. p. 196 (1766). 



^^"r^J 





■ai<i3 



Head of Fuligulafusea stejnegeri. ^ natural size. 



The Velvet Scoter has dark axillaries ; but the central secondaries 

 are white. The feathering on the side of the upper mandible 

 approaches within a quarter of an inch of the nostrils. 



The Velvet Scoter was recorded from Japan in 1840 (Temminck, 

 Man. d'Orn. iv. p. 543), but it is not mentioned in the ' Eauna 

 Japonica,' and we may consequently assume that Temminck dis- 

 covered good reasons for doubting the accuracy of the statement in 

 the earlier work, before the later one was published. 



It has, however, been since found in various localities as a winter 

 visitor. There is a skin in the Pryer collection obtained by Mr. Snow 

 on the Kurile Islands. 



The first record of its occurrence in Yezzo is that of two specimens 

 obtained at Hakodadi, one on the 24th of December, 1864, and 

 the other shot by Captain Blakiston on the 28th of January, 1865 

 (Whitely, Ibis, 1867, p. 209). I have a very fine male from the 

 same locality, obtained by Mr. Henson on the 28th of February. 



