410 



THE HOODED MERGANSER. 



in Guiana, Cayenne, and Surinam. Tlie East India species is probably 

 distinct. The R. fulva of Guiana, described by Linnasus, differs from 

 the present in having those parts fulvous which in this are black ; their 

 general appearance and habits are however the same. 



THE HOODED MERGANSEB. 



This elegant species is peculiar to Nortb America, and inhabits tbo 

 interior and north- 

 ern parts of the fur 

 countries to their 

 utmost limits. It 

 is also among the 

 latest of the Ana 

 tidae to quit those 

 cold and desolate 

 regions. It makes 

 a nest of withered 

 grass and feathers 

 in retired and un- 

 frequented places, 

 by the grassy bor- 

 ders of rivers and 

 lakes. According 

 to Audubon, it also 

 breeds around the 

 lagoons of the Ohio, and on the great North- Western Lakes of th« 

 interior. On the river St. Peters, in the 45th parallel, Mr. Sa_y 

 observed them on tfbe 18th of Julv no doubt in the same place where 

 they had passed the rest of tne .summer. At Hudson's Buy, where 

 ihey arrive about the end of May, they are said to nest close to the 

 borders of lakes and lay six wliite eggs. The young are at first 

 yellowish and begin to fly in July. I'he Hairy Ilead, as this species 

 is sometimes called, is rarely seen but in fresh waters and lakes, 

 approaching the sea only in winter, when its favorite haunts are 

 blocked up with ice. It delights in the woody interior, and traces 

 its way up still creeks, and sometimes visits the mill ponds, per« 

 petually diving for small fish and insects in the manner of the Kcd- 

 breasted Merganser. In the course of the winter they migrate as far 

 south as Mexico, are very common throughout the whole winter in 

 the Mississippi, and are rendered very conspicuous by the high 

 cirjular and parti-colored crest which so gracefully crowns the t'^^p of 

 the head. 



BOODXS MEROANSBX. 



