BAY AND SEA DUCKS 
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associated. As a rule, they frequent only the sea and its estuaries, 
where they live over beds of mussels, clams, or scallops, which they 
obtain by diving; but they are sometimes found in ponds near the 
coast where food of this nature is abundant. 
The flight of the Surf Scoter “is marked by a shrill whistling, and 
when the birds are in large numbers this sound is heard a long distance 
off.” (Sanford.) 
1891. Mackay, G. H., Auk, VIII, 279-290; IX, 292-294 (habits in 
Mass.). 
The Velvet Scoter (16 4-. Oidemia fusca), an Old World species, has 
been recorded from Greenland. 
165. Oidemia deglandi Bonap. White-winged Scoter. Ad. &. — 
A spot below eye and speculum white , rest of plumage black; bill orange, 
black at base, the feathers on it reaching forward far beyond corners of 
mouth. Ad. $ and Im. <?. — Grayish or fuscous-brown, lighter below; specu- 
lum white , feathers at base of upper bill and a spot on the ears whitish. L., 
22*00; W., 11*00; Tar., 2*00; B. along culmen, 1*50; B. along side, 1*55. 
Remarks. —The white speculum and feathering of the bill will always 
serve to distinguish this species from its allies. 
Range . — -N. A. Breeds from the coast of ne. Siberia, n. Alaska, n. 
Mackenzie, and n. Ungava s. to cen. B. C., Alberta, n. N. D., and s. Que. ; 
winters on the Asiatic coast to Bering I., Japan, and China, and in 
N. A., from Unalaska Island to San Quintin Bay, L. Calif., the Great 
Lakes (casually to Colo., Nebr., and La.), and the Atlantic coast from the 
Gulf of St. Lawrence s. (rarely) to Fla. ; non-breeding birds occur in summer 
as far s. as R. I., and Monterey, Calif. 
Washington, casual W. V., Oct.-Apl. Long Island, common W. V., 
Oct. 15-Apl. 13. Ossining, tolerably common T. V. Cambridge, occasional 
in fall. SE. Minn., casual W. R. 
Nest , on the ground, beneath bushes, or in high growth. Eggs , “6-14, 
pale dull buff, varying to cream-color, 2*68 x 1*83” (Ridgw.). Date , 
N. D., June 20. 
166. Oidemia perspieillata (Linn.). Surf Scoter. Ad. d”. — A 
square mark on crown and a triangular one on nape white, rest of plumage 
black; bill with white, red and yellow, a black spot on its side at base; 
feathers on culmen extending nearly to a level with nostril, feathers on side 
of bill not extending forward. Ad. 9. and Im. — A whitish spot at base of 
the bill and on ears; upperparts fuscous-brown; throat, breast, sides and 
lower belly grayer, belly white. L., 20*00; W., 9*30; Tar., 1*60; B. along 
culmen, 1*55; B. along side 2*30. 
Remarks. — The forward extension of the feathers on the culmen will 
always distinguish this species from O. americana, while it may be known 
from deglandi by the absence of white in the wings. 
Range. — N. A. Breeds on the Pacific coast from Kotzebue Sound to 
Sitka, and from nw. Mackenzie and Hudson Strait to Great Slave Lake, 
cen. Keewatin, and n. Quebec; non-breeding birds occur in summer in ne. 
Siberia and s. on the Pacific coast to L. Calif., and in Greenland and s. on 
the Atlantic coast to L. I. ; winters on the Pacific coast from the 
Aleutian Islands s. to San Quintin Bay, L. Calif., on the Great Lakes, and 
s. casually to Colo., Kans., Iowa, Ills., and La.; and on the Atlantic co’ast 
from N. S. to N. C., rarely to Fla.; casual in Bermuda; frequent in 
Europe. 
Washington, casual W. V. until Apl. Long Island, common W. V., 
Sept. l-Apl. 13. Ossining, common T. V., Oct. 7-Oct. 22. Cambridge, 
occasional in fall. 
