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Range (Breeds from the Bay of Fundy)

Breeds from the Bay of Fundy to Labrador; winters southward to Delaware; occasional in winter on the Great Lakes. Long Island, rare W. V. Sing Sing, A. V., Dec.

Nest, on the ground, generally sheltered by rocks. Eggs, five to eight, pale bluish or greenish, tinged with olive, 3.00 x 2.00. This species is of more southern distribution than the preceding, which it resembles in habits. During their visits to the coasts of the United States the Eiders are true Sea Ducks, living some distance off shore, generally over a bed of mussels, which they secure by diving, and which constitute their chief food. 162. Somateria spectabilis (Linn.). KING EIDER. Ad. 8.- Region about the base of the upper mandible and a large V-shaped mark on the throat black; top of the head bluish gray; cheeks greenish; neck all around white; front and sides of the breast creamy buff; upper back, sides of the rump, and wing-coverts white; rest of the plumage black. Ad. .- Head and throat buffy ochraceous, the former streaked with black; back black, the feathers widely margined with ochraceous or rufous; under parts varying from brownish gray to fuscous, more or less washed, especially on the breast, with ochraceous or rufous. Im. - Paler and with less ochraceous. L., 23.00; W., 10.80; Tar., 1.80; B., 1.30.