258 DUCKS, CtEESE, SWANS, AND PELICANS. 



cared to object to a supposition which gave such general satis- 

 faction. 



We must add that this confusion of names still exists, for on 

 the sea-coast several varieties of the Duck genus still go by the 

 name of the privileged bird. 



There are five principal varieties of this species. The most 

 remarkable are the Velvet Duck {Oidemia fiisca), the Common 

 Black Scoter (0. nigra), and the Great-billed Black Diver {0. 

 'perspicellata). 



The Great-billed Scoteu. 



EjN'glish Stwontms. — Surf Scoters : Selby, McGUlivray, Jenyns. Surf 

 Duck, Black Duck : Pennant. 



Latin Synontms. — Anas perspicellata : Linu. , Latham, Temminck. Oidemia 

 perspicellata : Selby, Jenyns, Temminck, McGillivray. 



Pkbnch Synonyms. — Macreuse d large hec, Canard rnarchand. 



The Great-billed Scoter is a rare bird in this countrj', the only 

 positive evidence of its occurrence being a female, shot in the Firth 

 of Forth, mentioned by Mr. Gould, and a recently-shot specimen 

 sent to Mr. Bartlett for preservation, and from which ilr. YarreU 

 derived his description. It is, however, stated by Audubon as being 

 abundant in winter on the eastern coast of America, as far south 

 as the mouth of the Mississippi. In Labrador he found a female 

 on its nest in a marsh ; the nest was snugly placed amidst the tall 

 blades of a bunch of grass, and was raised fully four inches above 

 the roots. It was composed of withered and rotten weeds, the 

 former being circularlj' arranged over the latter, producing a well- 

 rounded cavity, six inches in diameter, and two and a half deep ; the 

 border of the inner cup being lined with down from the birds after 

 the manner of the Eider Duck. In it lay five eggs, the smallest 

 he had ever seen in a Duck's nest. They are ec^ually roimded 

 at both ends, about two inches and a half long, and an inch and 

 five-eighths in their greatest breadth ; the shell perfectly smooth, 

 and of a uniform yellow colour. 



The plumage of the bird is soft, dense, and glossy ; the feathers 

 of the head and neck blended and velvety ; the wings short, 

 narrow, and pointed ; the upper mandible orange red, the protu- 

 berance on each side yellowish grey ; at the base is a large square 



