246 THE NESTS AND EGGS OF BRITISH BIRDS. 



localities in the Highlands. Up to the present time it 

 is certainly known to breed in Sutherlandshire, Argyle- 

 shire, and Perthshire. It seems probable that the bird 

 is on the increase as a breeding species in our area, and 

 may yet be detected doing so in Ireland. 



Breeding habits : The favourite breeding-haunts of 

 the Goosander are open swampy forests full of lakes 

 and rockbound streams. It is not improbable that this 

 species pairs for life, and yearly resorts to- one locality 

 to breed. The nest is generally placed in a hole in a 

 tree, but in localities where such is not available, a cleft 

 or crevice in a rock or cliff, or a cavity amongst exposed 

 tree-roots by the water-side is used instead. The nest 

 is slight, especially when in a hole in a tree, when the 

 dust at the bottom serves for the bed of the first eggs, 

 but as the full clutch is laid, a warm lining of down is 

 added. The bird is a close sitter. 



Range of egg colouration and measurement : 

 The eggs of the Goosander are from eight to twelve in 

 number ; sometimes thirteen have been found. They 

 are creamy-white in colour, glossy, and smooth in 

 texture. Average measurement, 27 inches in length, 

 by r8 inch in breadth. Incubation, presumably per- 

 formed entirely by the female, lasts twenty-eight days. 



Diagnostic characters : The situation of the nest, 

 the colour of the down (tufts large, and uniform grayish- 

 white), and the creamy tint of the eggs prevent any 

 confusion with those of other allied species breeding in 

 our area. 



