OF THE BEITISH ISLANDS. 425 



British waters and takes its departure about the same time as the preceding 

 species, although odd (and probably immature) birds sometimes linger with us 

 throughout the summer. The food of the Velvet Scoter consists principally of 

 moUusks, crustaceans, and small fish in winter, but in summer there can be little 

 doubt that vegetable substances, such as aquatic weeds, are eaten. Its note is 

 said not to differ very much from that of the preceding species, and is a grating 

 hurr. 



Nidification. — The Velvet Scoter is a late breeder, even for an Arctic 

 species, and its eggs are not laid until the very end of June or early in July. It 

 appears to separate into pairs as soon as the breeding grounds are reached, and 

 the duck and drake keep close company until the eggs are laid, after which the 

 latter leaves his mate to incubate them and take all care of the brood. The nest 

 is made amongst scrub or coarse tundra vegetation, either near a lake or river, 

 or some dry part pf the moor away from either. The nest is merely a hollow, 

 often under some small stunted bush, into which a little dry grass, dead leaves, 

 or other vegetable refuse is placed, and finally lined with down and a few 

 feathers from the breast of the female. The eggs are eight or nine in number 

 and pale greyish-buff in colour, smooth, and with little gloss. They measure on 

 an average 2'8 inches in length by 1"9 inch in breadth. The down tufts are 

 larger than those of the Common Scoter, brown, with a slight tinge of grey 

 and with indistinct pale centres. One brood only appears to be reared in 

 the season. 



Diagnostic characters. — (Nuptial plumage), (Edemia, with the loral 

 feathers separated from the nostrils by a space nearly or quite equal to the length 

 of the nostrils, with the lower part of the swollen basal portion of the upper man- 

 dible on sides unfeathered, with the basal portion of the culmen elevated, but not 

 forming an abrupt knob (adult male) ; with the plumage greyish-brown and with 

 no white on the head (adult female). Length, 21 to 22 inches. 



