163. Oidemia americana. 19 in.

Adult male, entirely black; bill black with enlarged base yellow; eye brown. Female plain brownish-black, lighter below. All the Scoters are better known to sportsmen as "coots," this species being the Butter-billed Coot, while the female is the Gray Coot.

Notes. - A long musical whistle. (Elliott).

Nest. - On the ground usually well concealed. Their 6 to 10 eggs are a creamy buff color (2.50 x1.70).

Range. - Breeds from Labrador northward. Winters south to the Middle States and Lake States.