170 
VELVET DUCK. 
VELVET DUCK ANAS FUSCA Plate LXXIL Fig. 3. 
Le grande macreuse, Briss. vi. p. 423, 29 Buff. ix. p. 242 PI. Enl. 956.—“ 
Arct. Zool. No. 482. — Bewick^ ii. p. 286. — Lath, Syn. iii. p. 482. — Peale's 
Museum, No. 2658 ; female. 
OIDEMIA FUSCA.~Fi.^MmG.* 
Oidemla fusca, Flem. Br. Anim. p. 119. — Bonap. Synop. p. 390. — North ZooL 
ii. p. 450. — Canard double macreuse, Temm. Man. ii. p. 854. — Velvet duck, 
Mont. Ornith. Diet. — Bew. Br. Birds, ii. 322 Velvet scoter, Selby, lUust, 
Br. Ornith. pi. 67. 
This and the preceding are frequently confounded together 
as one and the same species by our gunners ’on the sea-coast. 
The former, however, differs in being of greater size ; in ha- 
ving a broad band of white across the wing ; a spot of the same 
under the eye ; and in the structure of its bill. The habits of 
both are very much alike ; they visit us only during the winter; 
feed entirely on shell-fish, which they procure by diving ; and 
return to the northern regions early in spring to breed. They 
often associate with the scoters, and are taken frequently in 
the same nets wdth them. Owing to the rank, fishy flavour 
of its flesh, it is seldom sought after by our sportsmen or gun- 
ners, and is very little esteemed. 
The velvet duck measures twenty-three inches in length, 
and two feet nine inches in extent, and weighs about three 
* This, with the preceding, and the O. perspicillata, constitute the American 
species of Fleming’s genus Oidemia. They are all visitants also of the European 
Continent during winter, and, with the exception of the last, are of rather com- 
mon occurrence. They are truly sea-ducks, and never almost leave that element 
except during the season of incubation. They are expert divers, and feed on 
fish and marine moluscse ; we find, therefore, the foot expanded, the hallux fur- 
nished with a broad membrane, and the legs placed far back. The bill is expanded, 
and generally swollen at the base ; the plumage thick and compact, and of glossy 
smoothness ; the wings short, but firm, and sharp-pointed, capable, apparently, 
of a strong flight for a short while, but unfitted for any prolonged exertion. — 
Ed. 
