148 GAME BIRDS, WILD-FOWL AND SHORE BIRDS. 



EIDER (Somateria dresseri) . 



Common or local names: Sea Duck; Isles of Shoals Duck; Wamp; Squam Duck; 



Canvas-back. 



Male. 



Female. 



Length. — About 23 to 26 inches. 



Adult Male. — Top of head black, divided behind by a white stripe on 

 crown; rest of head white, tinged behind and on the sides to below eye 

 with green; neck, breast and most of back white; breast tinged more or 

 less with pale creamy brown; middle of lower back, wing quills, tail 

 and belly mainly black; iris brown; bill varying from gray to green and 

 flesh color, tip lighter; feet olive green, webs dusky. 



AduU Female and Young. — Top of head blackish; rest of plumage bufiFy 

 and brown, lightest on throat and neck, barred everywhere with 

 black, except head and upper neck, which are streaked; bill pale green; 

 eyes and feet as in male. Yoimg more buffy than female. 



Field Marks. — Almost impossible to distinguish females and young of this 

 species, out of hand, from those of other Eiders. The difference in proc- 

 esses of bill are readily seen when bird is in hand. 



Notes. — Male, a raucous and moaning voice, he ho, ha ho, or a-o-wah-a-o-wah 

 (Knight); female, a cry like that of domestic Duck. 



Nest. — On ground, generally sheltered by rocks. 



Eggs. — Five to eight, pale bluish or greenish, tinged with olive, about 3 

 by 2. 



Season. — A not uncommon winter visitor off the coast; formerly abundant; 

 late November to April. 



