308 BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND AND EASTERN NEW YORK 



behind, but is much smaller than either of her relatives, 

 the two following species. 



Red-breasted Merganser ; Sheldrake. Mevfjansef 



serrator 

 22.00 



Ad. $. — Head dark green (at a distance apparently black); 

 long crest on hind head ; a broad white ring around neck ; upper 

 back black, lower back gray; wing mostly white, crossed by two 

 black bars; upper breast buff, streaked with black; rest of under 

 parts white; bill, legs, and feet red. Ad. 9 and /tti. — Throat 

 white; rest of head and upper neck, with a crest on hind head, 

 reddish-brown ; back and tail slate-gray ; wings dai'ker, when 

 spread showing a white patch ; under parts white ; bill, legs, and 

 feet reddish-brown. 



Nest, on the ground, either in rushes or under thick spruces. 

 Eggs, creamy buff. 



The Red-breasted Merganser is an abundant migrant 

 along the sea-coast in March and April, and in October 

 and November ; it is occasionally found as a migrant on 

 inland waters, especially near the sea, but the common 

 inland merganser is the following species. The Eed- 

 breasted Merganser is also a common winter visitant on the 

 New England coast, and on the lower Hudson River, but 

 is not common in winter off Long Island. According to 

 Knight (''Birds of Maine "), it is quite a common summer 

 resident along the eastern half of the Maine coast and also 

 breeds on some of the interior lakes. 



When feeding it keeps in shallow water, either close to 

 the shore or over shoals, and dives in pursuit of its food. 

 The male is unmistakable : the long bill, the black head 

 set off by the white collar below, identify him as a mer- 

 ganser. The loose feathers of the crest, and the reddish- ' 

 brown breast distinguish him from his relative, the Ameri- 

 can Merganser. The females and young when seen in good 

 light show a reddish-brown neck and head. When flying, 



