ORNAMENTAL WATERFOWL. 229 
GENUS HENICONETTA. 
Some slight difference between the Steller’s Eider Duck 
and the True Eiders have caused it to be placed in the above 
genus, of which it is the only species. 
STELLER’S EIDER. 
(Hentconetta stelleri. Somateria stellert). 
This rare duck can scarcely be regarded as a British 
bird, there being no evidence to prove that more than two 
examples have been shot in this country. One of these, the 
specimen now in the British Museum, is said to have been 
killed near Yarmouth in 1830; the other, shot at Filey, is in 
the possession of Lord Scarsdale. Steller’s Eider breeds in 
Northern Russia, and very little is known respecting its habits. 
The traveller and ornithologist Middendorf, obtained eggs 
during July from nests constructed deep in the moss in the 
Arctic regions, and describes it as gregarious except during 
the breeding season, and it is never seen inland. Its food 
consists principally of shell-fish. 
Male.—About the size of the Wigeon. Head white, 
green patch between bill and eye, and on nape of neck; 
throat encircled with a glossy black and green band; back 
lustrous violet black; wings white, with blue, green, and 
white markings; breast chestnut ; bill slate-grey, paler at the 
tips ; legs brownish-grey ; eye light brown. 
Female.—Resembles other Eiders, but with wing-bar 
of blue, edged with white. 
Young.—“ Resembles female, but without black on 
abdomen ” (Seebohm). 
Egg.—Pale yellowish-green ; seven to nine in number. 
June—July. 
