WATER BIRDS. 105 
53. King Eider. Somateria spectabilis (Linn.). (162) 
Synonyms: Anas spectabilis, Linn., 1758.—Fuligula spectabilis, Bp., Nutt., Aud.— 
Somateria spectabilis of authors generally. 
The large v-shaped black mark on the throat usually separates the adult 
male of this species from the Common Eider; females and young can be 
separated by careful comparison with named specimens, or with good 
descriptions, the outline of the feathering at the base of the upper mandible 
being distinctive. 
Distribution.—Northern parts of Northern Hemisphere, breeding in the 
Arctic regions; in North America south casually in winter to Georgia and 
the Great Lakes. 
Like the preceding species this is a rare winter visitor to the waters of 
the Great Lakes bordering Michigan. The actual records are few. There 
are two specimens, male and female, in the Kent Scientific Museum (Cat. 
Nos. 20342, 20343), labeled as collected at Grand Rapids by Thomas 
Harmer, but without other data. Dr. Gibbs quotes from a letter from 
W. Hz. Collins of Detroit: ‘Several specimens taken in young and female 
plumage. One specimen in Smithsonian Institution identified by Pro- 
fessor Baird, and one specimen in my own collection taken at St. Clair 
Flats, 1874.” Kumlien & Hollister (Birds of Wisconsin, p. 26) say ‘ Al- 
though this species occurs only as a rare winter resident on Lake Michigan, 
there are more authentic records than of the Common Eider. Has been 
taken at Racine, and there is now a specimen in the Milwaukee Public 
Museum, taken at Milwaukee many years ago.”’ Mr. E. W. Nelson (Bull. 
Nutt. Orn. Club, I, 41) says: ‘An adult female taken at Chillicothe on 
the Illinois River, in the winter of 1874, has been sent to the National 
Museum by W. H. Collins of Detroit, Mich.’ It seems likely that the 
last named specimen is the same as one of those noted above by Dr. Gibbs. 
Mcllwraith states that specimens. have been seen occasionally in winter 
near Hamilton and Toronto, usually in immature dress, so that they could 
be identified only by capture. He adds, however, that “On the 25th of 
November, 1889, Mr. Cross reports having obtained a fine male in summer 
plumage, which was shot on Toronto Bay.” (Birds of Ontario, 1894, p. 90.) 
Like the preceding this species occurs in small flocks during the coldest 
weather and its habits are very much like those of the Common Eider. 
It also has the same breeding range, and its nest and eggs are similar. As 
a rule the eiders lay only five or six eggsin a set, and when more are found 
it doubtless is due to the use of the same nest by more than one female. 
The hardy nature of these birds and their ability to dive to great depths 
for their food, enables them to winter with comfort in the open sea or lake 
wherever the water is not too deep for them to feed. It seems possible 
that both species of eider may occur with some frequency in winter on the 
Upper Lakes, but that their presence is seldom detected because navigation 
of these waters is so generally suspended at this season. 
TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION. 
Adult male: Similar in color pattern to the preceding species (S. dresseri), but with 
the head bluish-gray; with less green on the side, the base of the much expanded upper 
mandible narrowly bordered by black feathers. There is a v-shaped black mark on the 
upper throat, and the scapulars and tertiaries are entirely black. The bill is largely 
orange, as also the legs and feet; iris bright yellow. The female and young closely resemble 
those of the Common Eider, but the feathering of the side of head (lores) extends but 
slightly forward toward the nostril, while in the Common Eider the feathering extends 
