98 
Both sexes have an iridescent blue-black speculum bordered each side with white like a 
Mallard. 
Distinctions. In the male the general coloration, 
especially the silvery sheen of the face and crown. In the 
female general dark brown colour, cross-barring on breast 
and face, and white-bordered blue speculum. 
Field Marks. Probably, large amount of white on 
body, black neck and throat, and silver-white face and 
crown make as good field marks for adult male as can be 
given. Except within its natural range not to be recorded 
on sight identification. 
Nesting. On the ground of the tundra. 
Distribution. Coast of Bering sea and adjoining 
Arctic ocean. Occurs occasionally east to the Yukon 
coast, possibly beyond. More common on Siberian side of 
the straits. 
A distinctively beautiful bird to be expected in Canada only along the 
extreme western Arctic coast or as a possible rare straggler on the Pacific. 
158. Spectacled Elder. Arctonetta fischeri. L ? 21. A larger bird than Steller’s, but 
smaller than any of the other Eiders. Below — beginning sharply at base of white neck 
dark slate grey, shading to dark brown on abdomen and flanks. Above — largely white with 
spray of stiff, curved white feathers falling over closed secondaries. Head with yellow bill, 
white throat, sea-green cheeks, a hanging crest of stiff nile-green feathers on sides of nape. 
In front of eyes a spot of sap-green feathers of peculiar texture, resembling deep-piled 
velvet. The most striking feature of the face, however, is a circle of soft silvery white 
feathers about the eye, sharply bordered by a thin line of black that suggests the name 
“Spectacled" (Figure 134). The female is light brown, darker above, with broken dark and 
rusty bars across breast, flanks, and on back. The head is tight and finely streaked. 
Figure 134 
Spectacled Eider; scale, J. 
Female Mole 
Distinctions. The coloration and spectacles of the male are unmistakable. The 
female is easily recognized as an Eider by its cross-barring, and as this species by the 
peculiar circle of finely marked and velvety plumage about the eye, the equivalent of the 
similarly situated white eye spot of the male. 
Field Marks. The white body and head, with dull, but not black, crown, and con- 
spicuous white eye spot, should be recognizable at considerable distance. Females are 
probably not recognizable in life except under exceptional circumstances. 
Nesting. On the ground of the tundras. 
Distribution. Coast of Bering sea and adjoining Arctic coasts. Regularly occurring 
in Canada only on the Yukon coast and the mouth of Mackenzie river, perhaps 
straggling farther east. 
A very beautiful but locally distributed Eider that is to be expected 
only as a rare straggler away from the western Arctic coast. 
161. Pacific Eider. Somateria v-nigra. L, 24. A large Eider. White above, black 
below, the latter cutting squarely and sharply against a white breast delicately tinted 
with vinaceous. Neck, throat, and cheeks, pure white; jet black cap extending to below 
eyes, split over the hind head by a wedge of white, nape washed with delicate nile green 
Figure 133 
Steller’s Eider; scale, J. 
Female Male 
