SCOTER. 
3 
a conspicuous white patch on the throat and neck. After feeding some time, he paddled out to sea, and 
placing his head over on his hack, drifted slowly off with the tide; a punt was then run out, and the water 
being as smooth as glass, there was little diffieulty in sculling within range for the shoulder-gun. The bird on 
being picked up proved to he in particularly bright glossy plumage, and in addition to the white patch on 
the throat and neck, the colouring of the beak, on which the knob ivas especially well developed, differed 
considerably from the usual form. The orange mark on the upper mandible was continued down to the 
point including the nail, while the whole of the lower mandible was also a deep yellow. As this bird 
was perfectly crammed with small crabs, it is probably in quest of these dainties that the Scoters so 
frequently fish along shore. Some years back in a large flock off Bexhill I clearly identified an old male 
Scoter with a perfectly white breast and belly; this singular bird was seen repeatedly, but I failed to 
obtain a shot. A pair somewhat similar were observed the following year ; but the distance at which they 
were examined was too great to allow a positive assertion as to the species. 
In winter Scoters not unfrequently appear in small flocks on the Norfolk broads and meres: on 
one occasion I noticed nearly twenty flying round llickling Broad in summer ; these Avere doubtless non- 
breeding birds, resorting to the “'Wold,” that had taken an unusually extended inland flight. A\ bile 
gunning on several of the freshwater lochs in the North-eastern Ilighlands during the winters of 18G8 
and 18G9 I did not observe this species, though Scaup and Tufted Ducks, Avith Avhich they often consort. 
Avere exceedingly numerous. 
A few remarks concerning the soft parts of the specimens procured while making observations on this 
species off the Norfolk and Suffolk coast in January and February 1882 may not be out of place. Two drakes 
in perfectly adult and most glossy plumage differed considerably in the form and colouring of the beak. 
No. 1. An adult male Avith protuberance on upper mandible exceedingly prominent. The coloured line 
doAvn the eentre a very deep orange, almost vermilion, deep orange round nostrils, the loAver part of the coloured 
patch being of a rich chrome-yelloAV. The remainder of the mandible Avith the protuberance a jet-black. 
Dark orange circle round eye, which in all specimens examined was a dark hazel. Legs, toes, and Avehs black. 
No. 2. A male AAuth the protuberance considerably smaller; the yelloAV line doAvn the upper mandible 
exceedingly faint in parts, merely a small star shoAving above the knob, the colouring being also paler 
and the loAver portion almost a lemon-yellow. The ring round the eye chrome-yellow. Iris, legs, and 
feet corresponding Avith No. 1. 
No. 3. An adult female. Upper mandible a dull slate-black, straight, Avith no knob*, a flesh tint 
shoAving inside the nostril. Legs and toes a dusky olive-yelloAV, AA^ebs a dull broAAm and the joints clouded. 
No. 4. An immature male, no protuberance on upper mandible. The coloured patch much the same in 
shape as on adult male, though the upper portion Avas someAvhat broader. The colouring pale yelloAV, Avith 
an orange tinge round nostrils. No ring round eye. Legs and feet same as adult female No. 3. The 
plumage of this bird Avas a dull grey-hroAvn, Avith a fcAv black feathers shoAving here and there in patches. 
No. 5. An immature male, Avith slight protuberance on upper mandible. The coloured patch Avas 
merely a pale yelloAV streak betAveen the nostrils and an oblong patch of the same colour loAver doAvn, the 
latter mottled Avith a fcAV small black spots. Inside of nostrils yelloAV. No circle round eye. Legs and 
feet same as adult female. A uniform dull dark broAvn, Avith fcAv conspicuous markings, pervaded the Avhole 
of the plumage. 
The immature males figured on the Plate are the two specimens (4 and 5) referred to above. As to 
Avhether they exhibit the plumage of the first or second Avinter, I should be sorry to A'enture an opinion : 
the age at which this species assumes the perfect adult dress seems also extremely doubtful. 
* I remarked a slight protuberance on the upper 
the breeding-season of 1809. 
