SOMATEBIA V-NIG-BA. 
PACIFIC EIDER. 
SOMATERIA Y-NIGRA. G. R. Gray. Proc. Zool. Soc. (1855.) p. 211. pi. OYII. — Lawr. B. of N. Am. p. 810. 
This new form of Eider Duck was first described by Gray, in the proceedings of the London Zoological Society for 1855, from 
specimens obtained by Mr. Adams during the voyage of H. M. ship Enterprise in the North Pacific Ocean. Although somewhat similar 
to the common species (S. Mollissima), it nevertheless has characters sufficiently different and conspicuous to enable it to be distinguished 
from its ally without difficulty. A single specimen was first added to the collection in the British Museum in 1851, procured at Kotzebue 
Sound by H. M. S. Herald. 
Examples of this bird were obtained by the collectors attached to the overland telegraphic expedition, in the territory lately known 
as Russian America, and sent to the Smithsonian Institution. It appears to represent the S. Mollissima on the Pacific coast, and to be 
abundant in the districts it inhabits. The male has the upper part of the head, rump, and under parts, and two narrow, long lines, 
commencing together near the base of the lower mandible, and extending on the sides of the throat, shaped like an inverted Y, jet black. 
Occiput and nap® deep green. Primaries and tail brownish black. Cheeks, throat, upper part of breast, back, secondaiies, and a spot on 
the side near the base of the tail, white. Bill, tarsi and feet yellow. 
Female . — General color rich brown, each feather tipped with blackish-brown. Feet and bill blackish. 
