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VELVET SCOTER.
Oidemia fusca, Flem.

La erande ou double Viacreuse

luis is the largest species of the genus Otdemia, and may be readily distinguished from both its congeners
(Ord. perspicillata and Oid. nigra,) by the snow-white bar across the wing and the patch of white situated
beneath the eye. It also differs very considerably in the conformation of its bill, in which, however, it
approximates most nearly to Ord. perspicillata ; for although it is much more dilated, still it presents traces of
the swollen tubercle, but to a less extent than in either of the other species.

The northern regions of the globe constitute the true habitat of all the members of the group; the present
species retires within the Arctic ( ircle during the summer, and regularly migrates to the southern seas on
the approach of severe weather. It is found in considerable abundance on various parts of our northern coasts,
where it feeds upon muscles, mollusea, &c., which it always obtains by diving. It is very abundant in the
Arc tic regions of Asia, and is reported to breed upon the banks of the larger rivers in Denmark, Russia,
Kamtschatka and Siberia: it is also found in America. It generally goes far inland for the purpose of nidifi-
cation, and constructs its nest of grass, lined with down, in which it deposits from eight to ten white eges.

TS in the other members of the genus the sexes differ very considerably from each other, but as the female
very closely resembles the female of the Surf Scoter we have not deemed it necessary to give a figure of it.

‘The male has the whole of the plumage of a deep velvety black, with the exception of a patch of white
beneath the eye, and the secondaries, which are pure white and form a band across the wing : upper mandible
black at the base, the remainder red, edged with black: under mandible pale yellowish white, edged with
black ; legs red on the outside, and deep yellow sprinkled with black on the inner; irides white.

The female has the whole of the plumage of a dull blackish brown, which is much lighter and rayed with
greyish on the under surface; between the bill and the eye, and on the ear-coverts, a Spot of white; beak
blackish ash colour; tarsi and feet dull red ; irides brown.

We have figured a male of the natural size.