EGGS OF BRITISH BIRDS. 57 



and the crevices in walls ; he also states that a favourite situation 

 is in a hollow at the foot of a dry bank where the herbage over- 

 hangs and completely conceals it. Sometimes the nest is made 

 amongst long grass or heath, and in most cases is very slight, 

 usually a small hollow in the ground, lined with green and dry 

 grass, sprays of heather, and dead leaves. 



The eggs of the Red-breasted Merganser are usually from six 

 to nine in number, but occasionally as many as twelve are laid. 

 They are of a more or less olive-grey colour, sometimes as dark as 

 a pale egg of the Pheasant, but never quite reaching the cream- 

 colour of the eggs of the Goosander ; they are somewhat smooth 

 in grain, rather glossy, and they vary in length from 2*8 to 2'4 

 inches, and in breadth from 1'85 to 1"6 inch. The down is about 

 the same size as that of the Mallard, but is pale brownish-grey, 

 with obscure pale tips and somewhat indistinct pale centres. 

 The pale colour of the down prevents any confusion between 

 these eggs and those of the Pochard and the Scaup, although 

 the former are generally smaller and greener, whilst the latter, 

 though not differing much in size, are usually darker. 



THE HOODED MERGANSER. 



(Mergus cuculla tus.) * 

 Plate 16, Fig. 1. 



A few examples of this American species have been obtained 

 in the British Islands. The geographical distribution of the 

 Hooded Merganser on the American continent is almost exactly 

 the same as that of its congeners. It breeds from the Atlantic 

 to the Pacific, from about lat. 45° to the Arctic Circle, wintering 

 in the United States, Mexico, and the West Indies. 



Like its allies, the Goosander and the Smew, the Hooded 

 Merganser always breeds in holes. It chooses some hole in a 

 standing tree, or even a hollow in a fallen log, which it is said to 

 line with dry grass and leaves ; a plentiful supply of down is 

 added as the full clutch of eggs is laid and the female begins 

 to sit. 



The eggs of the Hooded Merganser are from five to eight in 

 number, smooth in texture, and remarkable for their roundness. 



* Lophodytes cucuUatits — Sharpe, Handb., III., p. 56. 



