464 WEB-FOOTED BIRDS. 



purplish-green. Female cinereous, the head rufous ; the speculum 

 crossed by an ash-colored band. 



This Merganser is again another general inhabitant of 

 the whole northern hemisphere, spreading itself in the sum- 

 mer season throughout the remote fur countries and western 

 interior, from whence, at the approach and during the con- 

 tinuance of winter, they migrate towards the sea coast in 

 quest of open water and the necessary means of subsistence. 

 The Red-Breasted Mergansers, equally common in Europe 

 as in North America, are seen as far as Iceland, breed in 

 Greenland, and inhabit most parts of the Russian domin- 

 ions, particularly the great rivers of Siberia, and the waters 

 of lake Baikal. In the northern parts of Britain they pass 

 the period of reproduction, as on Loch Mari in the county 

 of Ross, and in the isle of Hay. In Sweden it is observed 

 to arrive later than the preceding. As winter passengers 

 they abound on the coasts of Holland, and sometimes visit 

 the marshes of the interior. On the borders of the Med- 

 iterranean they also migrate as far as Venice, but are rare 

 in France. They arrive about Hudson's Bay in June, as 

 soon as the ice breaks up, and make their nests immedi- 

 ately after, of withered grass, and alining of down or feath- 

 ers from their breasts : the eggs are generally 8 in number, 

 sometimes as many as 13, of a bluish-white and about the 

 size of those of a common Duck. The young are at first of 

 a dirty brown, like young goslings. 



The breeding range of this species is no less extensive 

 than the preceding. According to Audubon, they nest in 

 rank weeds on the borders of lakes, in Maine and other 

 parts of the Union ; and Mr. Say observed them on Lake 

 Michigan in 42°, on the 7th of June, assembled there no 

 doubt to pass the summer. 



This species like the rest of the family dives well, and 

 dexterously eludes the sportsman when wounded, moving 



