The King Eider ( Somateria spedabilis) in Massachusetts. Pour 
years ago I had, for the first time, the pleasure of seeing this boreal species 
alive, and of closely examining in the flesh a male in nearly full plumage. 
It seemed to me then, as at present, the most beautiful of the Fuhguhnae 
of North America. I became interested in its past and present status m 
Massachusetts, and made some investigations, the results of which are 
appended. . 
eort of information within a year from the same type oi observer, it is 
marvelous how many statements get into literature from fishermen etc 
a type that in my experience has proved to be exceedingly unreliable as a 
rule P I am aware of one market gunner dwelling on the Atlantic seaboard 
who is exceedingly dishonest in most of his dealings with men, yet many of 
his statements have worked their way verbatim into American ornithology. 
The query naturally suggests itself: Will a man of naturany ^onest pro- 
pensities in the pursuit of a livelihood, furnish ornithological data fit to be 
handed down to posterity? 
The King Eider, as we know it, is apparently during the winter an o - 
shore ’ bird, and its previous reported occurrence near the coast would indi- 
cate a change in habits. Mr. A. H. Norton (Auk, Vol. XVII, No. 1, Jan., 
1900 p 18) states that Somateria spedabilis feeds largely on Holothunans 
(. Peniadafrondosa ), hence their feeding in deeper water than dressen which 
as far as I know, prefers in our waters, the common mussel {Mytilus eduhs 
Linne) and perhaps Modiolus modiolus (Linn6). On the other hand two 
King Eiders shot at Long Island on three to four fathoms of water were 
said by Mr. William Dutcher to be gorged with Mytilus eduhs (Auk, 
Vol V No. 2, April, 1888, p. 174). If at former times they were near the 
coast it is reasonable to believe that they might have fed on Mytilus eduhs 
which is now and undoubtedly has been, abundant along our shore. 
That they were driven off shore before Audubon s time y ie p ® rsec '‘ 1 . ] 
of man seems unreasonable, for I am assured by a friend who Mias , kiUed 
many Eiders in the far north that they exhibit no more fear than the other 
Eiders which are notably fearless. Mr. A. C. Bent of Taunton tells me ha 
the gunners at Westport, Mass., state that these birds are common in that 
vicinity during winter, frequenting the outer rocky islands and reef. 
< Common ’ seems a strong statement, but the fact that eight were killed 
in one day would lead one to believe that they may be not rare. Thy 
apparently know the King from the American Eider as they refer to the 
former as ‘Cousins’ and the latter as ‘ Wamps.’ The species is un- 
doubtedly more common than present literature and accurate observations 
would indicate, as systematic offshore work is a difficult problem Tor rm 
ornithologists. Until further investigations are made however, it must be 
considered a very rare visitant in Massachusetts. 
The majority of the specimens taken have been shot during the fall, 
this I think, is not due to the migration routes or periods, but to the fact 
that they were procured largely by gunners engaged in cootmg, a sp J 
that in most localities where Scotera did not bed, ceas y 
Somateria spectabilis ( Linnd ). King Eideb. — An immature female 
taken at Newburyport, Mass., by Mr. C. H. Richardson on November 19, 
1915. — W. Spbague Bbooks, Boston Soc. N at. Hist. 
