THE SURF SCOTER. 
121 
being brought to a narrow rounded point ; the entering angle of 
the forehead also projects, as in the common eider, as far as the 
nostrils. The lateral parts of the bill at the base are very tumid, 
and are particular from the marking there displayed, these swell- 
ings being entirely exposed, and not in part concealed by the 
feathers, as in the velvet scoter/* The highly arched form of 
the bill above the nostrils requires, however, especial notice.*}* 
In the absence of a figure, some idea may perhaps be given by 
the following two notes of its depth : — 
Depth of bill at base of ridge where plumage terminates 
lines from tip ....... 
Depth of hill at 10 lines from tip . 
Length of hill above (not following curve) 
Length of hill to rictus ...... 
Length of bill to base of lateral protuberances 
Breadth of bill between the lateral protuberances . 
“ The specimen which has furnished the subject of this com- 
munication was in course of being preserved for Dr. Charles 
Cupples, of Lisburn, who, on being informed of its rarity, liberally 
presented it to the Belfast Museum. 
“ The surf scoter is known only as a British species from its 
having been obtained at the Orkney and Shetland Islands, with 
the exception of one individual, recorded by Mr. Gould as ob- 
tained in the Frith of Forth, and ‘ a recently shot one, sent to 
Mr. Bartlett for preservation/ as noticed in Yarrelks work, 
vol. iii. p. 322, 2nd edit. ; but the locality where it was killed is 
not mentioned — the f Naturalist/ vol. iii. p. 420, is referred to 
for the original notice of this specimen. 
“ Wilson (briefly) and Audubon (very fully) give interesting 
* ‘ Illust. Brit. Orn./ vol. ii. p. 335. 
f Yarrell’s figure of this species is admirable, with the single exception that 
the peculiar form of the bill is not represented. The arched profile of the upper 
mandible in the specimen under consideration (probably from its being a very old 
male) is still more strongly marked than in Mr. Selby’s figure, representing a male 
bird of life size. 
in. lin. 
161 
j 0 10* 
. 0 3 
. 1 4 
. 2 6 
.2 4 
. 1 4 
