THE SCOTERS. 
43 
24th of June, and that they bred in small numbers on 
Jr^Pe Union. In Alaska, Mr. Nelson says, it is very seldom 
ound on the mainland, and generally on the sea, but on the 
^,'berian side of Bering Straits it is more common, and asso- 
^i>'-tes in immense flocks with Steller’s Eider Duck. In its 
general habits the present species resembles the Common 
Elder, 
Nest — Resembles that of the Common Eider Duck, but is 
generally less compact, and often consists of a mere depression 
'n the ground, the lining being composed of the bird’s own 
down. 
%&8. — Generally six in number, of a greenish stone-colour 
nr clay-brown. Axis, 2’55-2-8 inches ; diam., i‘75-i’9. 
THE .SCOTERS. GENUS CEDEMIA. 
Oidemia, Fleming, Phil. Zool. ii. p. 260 (1822). 
The Scoters belong to the same section of the Diving Ducks 
®^^sthe Long-tailed Duck and the Harlequin, but are chiefly dis- 
'^jirguished by their black plumage, which is quite peculiar to 
them, the females being also greyish-brown wdthout any barring, 
as is seen in most of the Anatidce. They are entirely marine 
"1 their habits, and are of sombre plumage. 
Six species of Scoters are recognised by Count Salvador!, all 
of them arctic birds in the breeding-season, going south in 
"’inter. They are inhabitants of the northern parts of both 
hemispheres. 
I. THE COMMON SCOTER. CEDEMIA NIGRA. 
Aims nigra, Linn. S. N. i. p. 196 (1766). 
Oidemia nigra, Macg. Br. B. v. p. 140 (1852). 
Oidemia nigra. Dresser, B. Eur. vi. p. 663, pi. 449 (1877); 
B. O. U. List Br. B. p. 135 (1883); Saunders, ed. Yarn 
Br. B. iv. p. 472 (1885) ; id. Man. Br. B. p. 453 (1889); 
Lilford, Col. Fig. Br. B. part xii. (1892) ; Salvad. Cat. B. 
Brit. Mus. xxvii. p. 401 (1895). 
■Puligula nigra, Seebohm, Br. B. iii. p. 602 (1885). 
Adult Male. — Black all over, the head glossed with dark purple 
and the back with greenish ; under surface of body someivhat 
duller black, and having a slight shade of brown j bill black, 
