VELIMVET: DOCK, 69 
VELVET DUCK. (Anas fusca.) 
PLATE LXXII.—Fie. 3. 
Le Grande Macreuse, Briss. vi. p. 423, 29.—Buff. ix. p. 242:—PI. enl. 956.— 
Arct. Zool. No. 482.—Bewick, ii. p. 286.—Lath. Syn. ii. p. 482.—Peale’s 
Museum, No. 2658, female. 
OIDEMIA FUSCA.—FLEMING.* 
Oidemia fusca, Flem. Br. Anim. p. 119.—Bonap. Synop. p. 390.—North. Zool. ii. 
p. 450.—Canard Double Macreuse, Temm. Man. ii. p. 854.—Velvet Duck, 
Mont. Ornith. Dict.—Bew. Br. Birds, ii. 822.—Velvet Scoter, Selby, Illust. 
Br. Ornith. pl. 67. 
Tuts and the preceding are frequently confounded together 
as one and the same species by our gunners on the sea-coast. 
The former, however, differs in being of greater size; in 
having a broad band of white across the wing; a spot of the 
same under the eye; and in the structure of its bill. The 
habits of both are very much alike ; they visit us only during 
the winter ; feed entirely on shellfish, which they procure by 
diving ; and return to the northern regions early in spring to 
breed. They often associate with the scoters, and are taken 
frequently in the same nets with them, Owing to the rank 
fishy flavour of its flesh, it is seldom sought after by our sports- 
men or gunners, and is very little esteemed. 
The velvet duck measures twenty-three inches in length, 
and two feet nine inches in extent, and weighs about three 
* This, with the preceding, and the O. perspicillata, constitute the 
American species of Fleming’s genus Otdemia. They are all visitants 
also of the European continent during winter, and, with the exception 
ot the last, are of rather common occurrence. They are truly sea-ducks, 
and never almost leave that element except during the season of incu- 
bation. They are expert divers, and feed on fish and marine molusce ; 
we find, therefore, the foot expanded, the hallux furnished with a broad 
membrane, and the legs placed far back. The bill is expanded, and 
generally swollen at the base ; the plumage thick and compact, and of 
glossy smoothness; the wings short, but firm, and sharp-pointed, 
capable, apparently, of a strong flight for a short while, but unfitted for 
any prolonged exertion.—Ep. 
