LAMELLI ROSTRAL SWIMMERS 
[164.] Velvet Scoter. Oidemia fusca. 
An Old World species that has accidentally oc- 
curred in Greenland. 
165. White-winged Scoter. Oidemia deglandi 
Range. — Abundant in North America, breeding 
from Labrador, North Dakota and British Colum- 
bia, northward. Wintering south to the Middle 
States, southern Illinois and southern California. 
The largest of the Scoters, length 22 inches, 
distinguished by a large white speculum on the 
wing, also a white comet extending from under 
the eye backwards. It also has a yellow eye. 
Like the other Scoters, this species often feeds 
in very deep water. They are strong, active div- 
ing birds, and are also strong on the wing, gen- 
erally flying close to the surface of the water. 
Their flesh is not regarded as good eating, al- 
though they are often sold for that purpose. They 
nest on the ground, generally in long grass or 
under low bushes making a coarse nest of 
grasses, and sometimes twigs, lined with feathers. 
They lay from five to eight eggs of a pale buff 
color. Size 2.75 x 1.85. 
1 66. Surf Scoter. Oidemia perspicillata. 
Range. — Northern North America, breeding 
north of the United States boundary, and winter- 
ing south to Virginia and southern California. 
The male of this species is entirely black, ex- 
cept for the white patches on the forehead and 
nape, and the vari-colored bill of black, white, 
pink and yellow. They nest either along the Surf S white-winged Scoter 
coast or in the interior, building a nest lined 
with down, in the marsh grass bordering small ponds. They lay from five to 
eight buffy cream colored eggs. Size 2.40 x 1.70. The females of all the 
Scoters are a dingy brownish color, but show the characteristic marking of the 
species, although the white is generally dull or sometimes mottled. Data. — 
Mackenzie River, June 25, 1894. Six eggs in a nest of down on an island in the 
river. 
