120 LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS — ANSERES. 



Eggs of this species collected on Hudson's Bay by Mr. Drexler (Smitlisonian Insti- 

 tution, No. 4350) vary from 2,45 to 2.50 inches in length, and from 1.75 to 1.80 in 

 breadth, and are of a uniform pale-drab color, Mr. Dresser describes the color of this 

 egg as being a dull stone-drab, or creamy buff, with a greenish-gray tinge, and as 

 measuring from 2.65 inches by 1.75, and 2.55 by 1.85, to 2.75 by 1.80, and 2.65 by 

 1.70. The down with which the nest of this bird is lined is light gray, with a bluish 

 tinge, the centres being white, and the tips grayish white. Mr. Dresser thinks none 

 of this species remain to breed in New Brunswick ; but in this he is certainly mis- 

 taken, as I have met with its nests in the more southern portions. It is probably 

 more or less common in that province and in Nova Scotia. 



Genus LOPHODYTES, Reichenbach, 



Loplwdytes, Reichenb. Syst. Av. 1852, p. ix. (type, Mcrcjus cucidlatus, Linn.). 



Char. Bill shorter than the head, black ; seiTations compressed, low, short, inserted obliquely 

 on the edge of the bill. Tail more than half as long as the wings. Tarsus about two thirds as 

 long as the longest toe (with claw). Head with a full, semiciicular, compressed crest of hair-like 

 feathers. 



L. cucuUatus 



The genus Lophodytes is quite distinct from Menjus in the possession of the above characters. 

 The bill is also much more depressed terminally, and, in proportion to its length, deeper through 

 the base. The nostrils are situated far back, as in M. scrrator. But one sj^ecies is known, unless 

 the Mtrgus octosctaceus of Vieillot,^ a South American bird (which we have not seen), be referable 

 to this genus rather than to Mergus. 



^ Mergus octosetaceus. 



Mergus oclosctacens, Vieill. Nouv. Diet. XIV. 1817, 222. — ScL. & Salv. P. Z. S. 1876, 409 



(monographic). 

 Mergus brasilianus, Vieill. Gal. Ois. IT. 1S34, 20!), pi. 283. — Pelz. Orn. Bras. 1870, 322.— 



ScL. & Salv. Norn. Neotr. 1873, 131. 

 Mergus fuscus, LicUT. Verz. Doubl. 1823, 85. 

 "Mergus lopJiotes, Cuv. MS." (Siiilecki,.) 



