582 THE FEATHERED TRIBES. 



THE RED-BREASTED MERGANSER.* 



Pennant states that this bird breeds on Loch Mari, in the count}' of lloss, North 

 Britain, and also in the Isle of Islay. According to Latham, it inhabits most parts of 

 Northern Europe ; it is found as high as Iceland-, and also in the Russian dominions 

 about the great rivers of Siberia, and the Lake Baikal. It is said to be frequent in 

 Greenland and to breed on its shores. It is frequently brought from the shores of the 

 Delaware to the Philadelphia market. In the United States they are generally 'migra- 

 torj" ; but Wilson says that a few of them are seen in autumn, though he had not dis- 

 covered any of their nests. 



These birds frequent the sea-shore, keeping within the bays and estuaries of rivers. 

 They swim low in the water, and, when wounded in the wing, ■s'ery dexterously contrive 

 to elude the sportsman or his dog by diving, and coming up at a great distance, raising 

 the bill only above water, and dipping down again with the utmost silence. The J'oung 

 males of a year are often found in the plumage of the females. Their food consists of 

 small fry and various kinds of shell-fish. 



The M'indpipe of the male of this species, according to Wilson, is very curious, and 

 differs from that of the Goosander. About two inches from the mouth it swells out to 

 four times its common diameter, continuing that size for about an inch and a half. This 

 expansion then continues of its first diameter for two inches or more, when it becomes 

 flatfish, and almost transparent, for two more inches ; it then swells into a bony 

 labyrinth of more than two inches in length by one and a half in width, over the hoUow 

 sides of which is .spread a yellowish skin-like parchment. The left side of this, fronting 

 the back of the bird, is a hard bone. The divarications come out A'ery regularly from 

 this at the lower end, and enter the lungs. 



The design of this expanding structure is probably to enable the bird to carry down a 

 supply of air for the support of respiration while diving; and "yet," as Wilson asks, 

 " why should the female, who takes the same submarine excursions, be entirely destitute 

 of this apparatus ? 



THE HOODED MERGANSER, f 



In describing this bird, an accidental visitor in Britain, but well knoT\Ti in America, 

 Mr. Audubon, thus writes ; " Its broad and rounded crest of pure white, with an edging 

 of jcttj' black, and which it closes or spreads out at pleasure, renders the male of this 

 species consi)icuous on the waters to which it resorts. The activity of its motions, the 

 rapidity of its flight, and its other habits, contribute to render it a pleasing object to the 

 students of nature not less than the sportsman. Its flesh, however, has a fish}' taste and 

 odour, although it is relished by some persons. 



" It seems to prefer fresh water, and is by no means very frequent along the sea-coast. 

 Long, narrow, and moderately deep creeks, or small ponds, are more frequented by it 

 than large rivers or lakes. On the waters of the western and soutliern States these 

 mergansers are seen to arrive from the north early in October ; but generally later than 

 many species of ducks, although sooner than either the red-breasted merganser or the 

 goosander. At the approach of night,- a person standing still on the banks of sucli a 

 river as the Ohio, first hears the well-known sound of wings whistling through the air ; 

 presently afterj a different noise, as if produced by an eagle stooping on her prey ; when, 

 gliding downwards with the rapidity of an arrow, he dimly perceives the hooded mergansers 

 sweeping past. 



"Five or six, perhaps fen, there are ; with quick beats of their pinions, they fly loW 

 o\cr the waters in wide circles. Now they have spied the entrance of a cfeek ; they 

 shoot into it, and in a few seconds you hear the rushing noise which fifty make as they 



• Meigiw Scn-ator.— Liuu. | Mi-i'gus CucuUatus,— Svlbj-* 



