20O THE VELVET SCOTER 



the name of Black Duck. Although a few scattered specimens 

 have been observed from time to time during summer, in most 

 parts it must be considered as a winter visitant only. Being 

 the only entirely black Duck which frequents our shores, it is 

 distinguished among other species by its colour alone. Small 

 parties of these birds may occasionally be seen on different parts 

 of the coast, swimming and diving at a short distance outside the 

 surf, or flying, three or four together, at an elevation of a few feet 

 above the surface of the sea. Large flocks visit the sea between 

 us and Holland at times. They fly rapidly in a straight Hne, and 

 when diving remain a long time under water. Their food consists 

 of mussels and other shellfish, in quest of which they often ascend 

 the creeks and arms of the sea, but they are rarely seen in fresh 

 water. 



The flesh of the Black Duck is said to be oUy and fishy ; on this 

 account it is ia some Roman Catholic countries classed with fish, 

 and allowed to be eaten during Lent. In some parts of the Continent, 

 where it is consequently in demand, fishermen take advantage of 

 its diving propensities, and spread their nets over the mussel banks 

 to which they have observed that these birds resort, and capture 

 them in large numbers. The nest of the Scoter is described as 

 being like that of the Eider Duck, and similarly located. The female 

 also covers her eggs with down from her own breast, but in smaller 

 quantities. A few of this species remain to breed in the north of 

 Scotland. 



THE VELVET SCOTER 



(EDEMIA FIJSCA 



General plumage velvet black ; below the eyes a white crescent ; speculum 

 white ; bill orange, protuberance at the base, nostrils and edge of man- 

 dibles, black ; irides and feet red, the membranes of the latter black. 

 Female smaller ; upper plumage sooty brown ; under parts light grey, 

 streaked and spotted with dusky brown ; between the bill and eye a 

 whitish spot, and another over the ear ; bill dusky ash ; irides brown ; 

 feet dull red. Length twenty-tliree inches. Eggs buff. 



The Velvet Scoter, an inhabitant of the extreme northern regions 

 of Asia and Europe, appears in the British Isles as a winter visitor 

 only, being sometimes seen on the eastern coast of Scotland, in 

 large flocks, but not generally extending its migration to our southern 

 shores except in the severest weather. It may be distinguished 

 from the Common Scoter by its larger size, and yet more strikingly 

 by the conspicuous white bar across the wing. 



The habits and food of the Velvet Duck differ in no material 

 respect from those of the Common Scoter, or Black Duck. 



