SEA DUCKS 



(163) Oidemia americana Swain. 



(Gr., a swelling)- 



SCOTER; SEA COOT; BUTTER- 

 BILL. Ad. & — Bill black, the 

 swollen base orange. Iris brown. 

 Ad. 9 — Sooty-brown, paler below. 

 L., ig.oo; W., Q.oo; B., 1.75. 



Range — Breeds along the Arctic 

 coast and south to Newfoundland. 

 Winters on both coasts of United 

 States, and on the Great Lakes. 



(165) Oidemia deglandi Bonap. 



WHITE-WINGED SCOTER; 

 VELVET SCOTER; MAY-WINGS. 

 Iris yellow. Plumage as shown by the 

 swimming birds. Bill and feet black, 

 orange and yellow. L., 22.00; B., 

 1.50. 



Range — Breeds from Quebec, N. 

 Dak. and B. C. northward. Winters 

 along the Atlantic coast. 



parents have to keep sharp watch over eggs and ducklings, 

 for Black-backed and other large gulls are fond of either. 



KING EIDERS are found on the northern coasts of both 

 continents, but are less abundant than the other species. 

 Like other Eiders, they fly in Indian file, \vith rapid wing 

 beats and occasional short sails. The greater part of the year 

 Eiders live upon the open sea, living upon mollusks and small 

 fish which they can secure at depths of thirty or forty feet. 

 In summer, the males moult and for a few months assume a 

 plumage similar to that of their mates. The females also 

 moult at this time and, as usual with ducks, they are unable 

 to fly for a considerable period. They are, however, such 

 adepts at diving that they can easily escape their enemies. 

 Except during nesting time, they are cjuite wary. 



SCOTERS, or "Coots," as they are more frequently called 

 by gunners, are among the most abundant of our ducks. 

 The reason for this abundance is very evident when one 

 examines the tough, rank and fishy flesh of Scoters. Only 

 youthful hunters and those possessed of the mania for killing 



