FULIGULIX.K 
Entconetta  G.  R.  Gray.* 
Bill  short,  broad,  much  elevated  at  the  base,  the  sides  narrowed,  with  the  culmen  gradually  sloping  to 
the  tip,  which  is  armed  with  a  very  strong  broad  nail ;  the  nostrils  large,  placed  near  the  base,  and  oval. 
Wings  short,  with  the  first  quill  the  longest.  Tail  short  and  wedge-shaped.  Tarsi  shorter  than  the 
middle  toe.    Toes  long,  the  hind  toe  short  and  lobed. 
It  is  an  inhabitant  of  Northern  Asia,  and  is  also  found  on  the  north-western  coast  of  America ;  and  is  so  exclusively 
maritime,  as  never  to  enter  even  the  estuaries  of  the  contiguous  rivers.  The  nest  is  formed  among  the  rocks  and 
precipices. 
E.  Stelleri  (Pall.)  Pall.  Spic.  Zonl.  t.  5.,  Pall.  Zoogr.  t.  6*8.  —  Anas  dispar  Sparr.  Mus.  Carls,  t.  7.  8.  ;  Anas  occidna  Bonn. 
Somateria  Leach,  f 
Bill  with  the  base  more  or  less  elevated,  and  compressed  behind  the  nostrils,  where  it  is  divided  in 
front  by  an  acute  angle  of  feathers ;  the  anterior  portion  of  the  bill  depressed,  narrowed,  and  armed  at 
the  tip  with  a  strong  broad  hooked  nail ;  the  lamella?  of  the  upper  mandible  moderate,  and  widely  placed  ; 
and  the  nostrils  oval,  placed  near  the  middle  of  the  bill.  Wings  moderate,  pointed,  with  the  first  and 
second  quills  the  longest.  Tail  short  and  wedge-shaped.  Tarsi  more  than  half  the  length  of  the  middle 
toe.    Toes  lengthened,  and  united  by  a  full  web. 
The  higher  latitudes  of  the  Arctic  regions  of  Europe  and  America  are  the  proper  abodes  of  the  birds  of  this  division. 
They  are  generally  seen  on  the  solitary  rocky  shores  and  islands,  which  are  their  favourite  haunts,  living  in  flocks; 
generally  diving  in  deep  water,  in  search  of  their  food,  which  consists  of  shell-fish,  Crustacea,  and  the  fry  of  fish.  Their 
nests  are  placed  on  ground,  formed  outwardly  of  dry  grass  and  sea  weed,  and  internally  of  down  plucked  from  their  own 
breasts,  which,  for  softness,  warmth,  lightness,  and  elasticity,  surpasses  that  of  all  other  birds.  The  female  deposits  five 
eggs. 
1.  S.  ynollissima  (Linn.)  Leach,  PI.  enl.  209-208.  —  Anser  lanu- 
ginosa Brits.  Wils.  Amer.  Orn.  pi.  71.  f.  2  &  3.  ;  Anas  Cutberti 
Pall. 
2.  S.  spectabilis  (Linn.)  Steph.  Sparr.  Mus.  Carls,  t.  39.  40. 
Anas  Beringii  Lath.  Pall.  Zoogr.  ii.  t.  6'7. 
Oidemia  Flem.% 
Bill  as  long  as  the  head,  with  the  culmen  much  inflated  at  the  base  above  the  nostrils,  and  the  sides 
at  the  base  more  or  less  SAvollen  and  bare  of  feathers;  the  fore  part  of  the  upper  mandible 
suddenly  much  depressed,  and  the  sides  dilated  and  membranous,  with  the  tip  armed  with  a  very  broad 
*  This  generic  name  was  proposed  (1840)  in  the  place  of  three  other  names,  all  of  which  had  been  previously  employed,  viz.  Macropus 
Nuttall  (Ornithology,  ii.  p.  450.),  1834;  Polysticta  Eyton,  1836;  Stelleria  Pr.  Bonap.,  1838. 
t  This  genus  of  Dr.  Leach  was  noticed  by  Dr.  Fleming  (Phil,  of  Zool.  ii.  p.  260.)  in  1822. 
\  Established  by  Dr.  Fleming  (Phil,  of  Zool.  ii.  p.  260.)  in  1822.  In  the  same  year  M.  Boie  used  Melanetta  ;  in  1828,  M.  Lesson 
proposed  two  names,  viz.  Maceration  and  Macroramphus ;  in  1829,  M.  Kaup  gave  Pelionetta:  all  which  names  were  established  on  the  same 
set  of  birds. 
