COMMON SCOTER 



(EDEM1A NIGRA {Linn.). 



Anas nigra, Linn. S. N. i. p. 196 (1766) ; Naum. xii. p. 108. 

 Oidemia nigra, Macg. v. p. 140; Hewitson, ii. p. 421. 

 CEdemia nigra, Yarr. ed. 4, iv. p. 472 ; Dresser, vi. p. 663. 



Macreuse, French; Trauer-Ente, Molir-Ente, German; 

 Pato negro, Spanish ; Morell de Mar, Valencian. 



This species breeds throughout Northern Europe 

 including Iceland, and a certain number nest annually 

 in the northernmost counties of Scotland ; but to us 

 Englishmen in the restricted sense of the word, the bird 

 is best known as an autumnal and often exceedingly 

 abundant visitor to our coasts. I do not remember 

 ever to have crossed the Channel from Dover, Calais, 

 Folkestone, or Boulogne, at any time of year, without 

 seeing more or less of the present species, and I saw a 

 considerable flock on one occasion in June off the mouth 

 of the Garonne. I have often been told of the presence 

 of " acres of Black Ducks " in the winter in the Wash 

 and in Yarmouth Roads, and my late friend and 

 neighbour Mr. George Hunt some years ago brought 

 home some two hundred Scoters as part of the result of 



