THE RED-BREASTED MERGANSER 331 



keep diving under the surface, and reappearing some distance 

 farther on. Then they paddle in the shallows, or stand 

 upon the rocks over which the tide is still washing, preening 

 their plumage, or waiting for the small fish to appear. A 

 favourite haunt of the Eed- breasted Merganser, abounding 

 with its food, is where the trout stream from the distant hills 

 falls into the loch. When swimming on the sea the female 

 often dives and is chased by her mate for some distance, and he 

 often pursues her through the water, which is churned into 

 bubbles and foam with their aquatic gambols. In several 

 places I have noticed these birds visit the rocky beaches, and, 

 where vast expanses of seaweed are left exposed at low water, 

 search for some favourite food. As soon as the rocks began to 

 appear at the ebb of the tide, pair after pair of Mergansers came 

 flying up, sometimes passing along close to the surface of the 

 water, more rarely at a considerable height. Here they would 

 remain feeding amongst the rocks and in the pools and shallows, 

 until the ground was once more covered with the flowing 

 tide, when they would depart in pairs, as they came, to the 

 distant rocky islands, where they waited until the water had 

 once more begun to subside. The JMerganser flies quickly, 

 with rapid and regular beat of wing, rising from the water 

 heavily and w^th a great splash and flutter. It swims low in 

 the water, but is very graceful in its movements. Few birds 

 are more expert at diving, and it chases the tiny fish through 

 the water, seldom failing in its efforts. Whatever food is 

 secured under the water is always brought up to the surface 

 to be swallowed, and usually, as soon as it has disposed of its 

 capture, the bird drinks and rises half out of the water and 

 flaps its wings. 



The Eed-breasted Merganser lives entirely on animal 

 substances. It eats quantities of small fish, especially fry, 

 and often joins the Terns when they have discovered a shoal 

 swimming near the surface. Crustaceans and little crabs are 



