114 LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS — ANSERES. 



usually called, on Hudson's Bay, the Sheldrake — and speaks of it as very common 

 on the sea-coast and in the interior })arts of the country, flying in very large flocks. 

 He describes it as being an excellent diver, and as devouring flsli in such great quan- 

 tities that it is frequently obliged to disgorge several before it can rise from the 

 water. It frequently swallows fish six or seven inches in length and proportionally 

 thick. Birds of this species frequenting the interior parts of the Fur Country feed 

 chiefly on crawfish, which are very numerous in some of the stony shallow rivers. 

 In the fall of the year they became very fat, and though they feed principally upon 

 fish, yet their flesh at that season is very good. They are said to remain in the 

 Arctic Kegions as long as the frost does not prevent their obtaining a subsistence. 



Captain Blakiston mentions meeting with this species in the Saskatchewan Region, 

 as far west as the Rocky Mountains. He also received specimens from Hudson's 

 Bay. 



The Goosander is found on the Pacific coast from Alaska to Southern California. It 

 was taken at Sitka by INIr. Bischoff, and a single specimen was obtained at Fort Yukon 

 by Mr. Lockhart ; but it was not observed by any of Mr. Dall's party during their 

 three years' ex})lorations on the Yukon River and its vicinity. In his account of the 

 birds of the Aleutian Islands, Mr. Dall states that several extremely fat examples of 

 this species were killed, December 20, after a norther, in the outer bay, at Unalashka, 

 — where, however, it seemed to be only an accidental visitor. It was not observed at 

 the Shumagins, although reported as common in the winter near the Prybilof Islands. 



Dr. Cooper obtained a female bird of this species at the highest encampment on 

 the Little Black-foot River, where it had doubtless raised a brood, as this species 

 is known to seek such clear rapid streams in the Cascade Mountains for breeding. 

 M. serrator — the female of which so much resembles this species — is not known 

 to occur so far from the coast. 



Mr. J. A. Allen met Avith a pair of these birds on Mount Lincoln, in Colorado 

 Territory ; and he afterward, in September, found them very common in the valley 

 of Great Salt Lake. 



This Merganser has been found on the coast of Vancouver Island by Mr. R. Browne. 

 According to Dr. Cooper, it is common in some parts of California, but not so abun- 

 dant as in regions farther north, where it occurs along the sea-coast, in tlie bays, and 

 in the larger rivers, from October to April. In all probability some individuals of this 

 species remain to breed in that region along the mountain streams and upon the lakes, 

 but none have been seen doing this. 



Major Wedderburn states that this bird has been met with in the Bermudas. It 

 occurs in large mimbers in the neighborhood of Calais, where it is found throughout 

 the summer months, as well as early in the spring and late in the fall. Mr. Board- 

 man informs me that many of this species breed there, always resorting for that 

 purpose to hollow trees, and that the nests are composed of dry and fine grasses, 

 feathers, and down. In Massachusetts it is common in its vernal and autumnal 

 migrations, and is then found almost exclusively in fresh water ; a few of these birds 

 being supposed to breed there. 



This species — also known to the sportsmen of Long Island as the Sheldrake — 

 arrives on the Long Island coast late in the fall, and continues its occupation of fish- 

 ing until compelled to leave foi- a milder climate in search of food with others of its 

 tribe. On its first appearance it is seen in large flocks ; but it soon scatters, form- 

 ing smaller parties of from five to twelve, and frequently associating with the Scaup 

 Duck. It is said by Mr. Giraud to be decoyed without much difficulty. When wounded 

 this bird dives so dexterously that only with the greatest ditticulty can it be secured. 



