ORNAMENTAL WATERFOWL. 225 
Six species of Q@demia are enumerated by Dr. Sclater in 
his “List of the Anxatde,” of which only two have been 
represented in the Zoological Gardens, the habits of these birds 
rendering them difficult of domestication. 
COMMON SCOTER OR BLACK DUCK. 
(Bdemia nigra). 
This winter visitant to the British Isles, which is about 
the size of the Mallard, is easily distinguishable from the only 
other black duck which frequents our shores. During the 
greater part of the year it inhabits the estuaries or open sea, 
where it may be seen diving or swimming in parties of from 
three to four together, and devouring vast quantities of mussels 
and other bivalves. It breeds in the Arctic regions during the 
summer (where ten thousand are recorded by Seebohm to 
have been seen in one flock) and places its large untidy nest, 
lined with down, on the shore of some sea or lake. The 
mother conveys her young on her back when swimming. 
Male.-—General plumage black, with purplish-gloss, 
changing into green on neck and back ; under parts rusty-black ; 
inside of wings grey; thick bill, with protuberance at the base 
black, with an orange patch over the nostrils ; legs lead colour ; 
eye dark brown. In Salvadori’s Catalogue the description of 
the male is headed ‘‘ Adult Female,” evidently a printer's error, 
Female.—Brownish-black ; large whitish patch on throat ; 
bill entirely black, without tubercle ; legs lead colour. 
Young.—In first feather, similar to female, 
Egg.—Greyish-buff; occasionally fawn white, dashed 
with stone colour, one end pointed; six to ten in number. 
May—June. 
Nest Down.—“ Dark grey” (Seebohm). 
