3i8 Field Museum of Natural History — Zoology, Vol. IX. 



streaked with black; lower 

 breast and belly, white; the 

 sides and rump, delicately- 

 pencilled black ; distance from 

 nostril to tip of bill, more 

 than 1.50. 



Length, 23; wing, 9; tar- 

 sus, 1.90; bill, 2.30. 



Female and young male: 

 Head, brownish; throat, pale 

 buff; back, gray; under parts of the body are white, and speculum is 

 white. 



Length, 21; wing, 8.80; tarsus, 1.90; bill, 2.50. 

 Although not abundant, the Red-breasted Merganser is not un- 

 common at times on Lake Michigan and the inland waters of Illinois 

 and Wisconsin during the migrations. A few remain to breed in 

 northern Illinois and it breeds regularly in Wisconsin. The nest is 

 on the ground, composed of moss and grass lined with down and 

 carefully concealed. The eggs are from 7 to 12, pale buff color, and 

 measure abotit 2.50 x 1.75 inches. 



"Winter resident throughout Illinois and breeds from the northern 

 portion of the state northward." (Ridgway, Orn. 111., 1895, P- i9°-) 

 "The rarest species of the genus in this vicinity. Frequents small 

 reedy lakes where it is a summer resident. Nests upon old muskrat 

 houses. * ''' ''' '•' A very rare winter resident. During the height 

 of the migrations it is rather common upon Lake Michigan, in small 

 flocks." (Nelson, Birds N. E. 111., 1876, p. 44.) "Common during 

 migrations, but not in as great numbers as the preceding. A regular 

 breeder about Green Bay and Lake Superior." (Kumlien and Hol- 

 lister. Birds Wisconsin, 1903, p. 17.) 



Genus LOPHODYTES Reich. 



39. Lophodytes cucullatus (Linn.). 



Hooded Merganser. 



Distr.: North America in general, south to Cuba and central 

 Mexico, breeding nearly throughout its range. 



Adidt male: Head ivith large black and ivhite crest; upper parts, 

 black; under parts, white, having the sides brownish, delicately 

 barred with black. 



Length, 19.50; wing, 7.75; tarsus, 1.30; bill, 1.50. 



