BIRDS MET WITH BY THE WILDFOWLER 319 
beneath), with the exception of a spot behind the eye and 
speculum, which is pure white. The bill is orange-yellow, 
with a large black basal knob and a narrow dark line along 
the culmen. Legs orange. The female is brown, rather 
lighter underneath, and has a dull white patch before and a 
smaller one behind each eye. Bill dark. Legs reddish. 
Length about 22in.; wing 10°75 in. 
SURF SCOTER 
Fuligula perspicillata (Linneus) 
This North American: species is a rare straggler in 
autumn and winter to these isles. 
The adult male in summer has the plumage velvety black 
with a tinge of brown on the throat, and may be known from 
other Scoters by the presence of a broad patch of white on 
the forehead and another on the nape. In the female the 
nape patch is present, though often so faintly marked that it 
can hardly be seen. There is no white bar across the wing. 
Length about 211in.; wing 9°5 in. 
BUFFEL-HEADED DUCK 
Clangula albeola (Linnaeus) 
This species is a very irregular winter migrant to the British 
Islands, and only two or three examples have been obtained in 
this country. It inhabits the Northern Nearctic region. It 
bears a distant resemblance to the Golden-eye, but is con- 
siderably less in size; but the male may be recognised by the 
presence of a large triangular white patch on the side of the 
head behind the eye. The female is a dull-coloured bird of 
various shades of brown, and has also a white patch behind 
the eye. Length 15 in. ; wing 6°75 in. 
