HG Weston 1945 Oidemia americana March 22, 1945 - 10. mi N of Ft. Bragg along State Highway #1, in Mendocino County California. At 2:55 p.m. Dr. Benson, M. Jollie and D, in the Museum Dodge Truck stopped along the highway to look at several small islands just offshore. The highway is just along a cliff dropping down 100+ ft to a narrow rocky beach. Nothing but 4+ surfbirds seen on the islands. 5 American scoters were in water just outside breakers, 2 > and 3 ? were present in the compact group. We got a good look at them and noted all distinguishing characters. Several even stretched up out of water and flapped their wings and we could see no wing markings of any kind. These are the first individuals of this species I have ever seen. The weather is hazy. It rained all morning and stopped about 1 p.m. The sun was not shining as we watched the scoters. A gusty westerly wind was blowing.