bull coot

Scoter Sco"ter, n. [Cf. Prov. E. scote to plow up.] (Zo["o]l.) Any one of several species of northern sea ducks of the genus {Oidemia}. [1913 Webster]

Note: The European scoters are {Oidemia nigra}, called also {black duck}, {black diver}, {surf duck}; and the velvet, or double, scoter ({O. fusca}). The common American species are the velvet, or white-winged, scoter ({O. Deglandi}), called also {velvet duck}, {white-wing}, {bull coot}, {white-winged coot}; the black scoter ({O. Americana}), called also {black coot}, {butterbill}, {coppernose}; and the surf scoter, or surf duck ({O. perspicillata}), called also {baldpate}, {skunkhead}, {horsehead}, {patchhead}, {pishaug}, and spectacled coot. These birds are collectively called also {coots}. The females and young are called gray coots, and brown coots. [1913 Webster]