76 



MICHIGAN BIRD LIFE. 



32. Hooded Merganser. Lophodytes cucullatus (Linn.). (131) 



Synonyms: Hooded Sheldrake, Summer Slieldrake, Little Fish Duck, Little Saw-bill. 

 — Mergus cucullatus, Linn., 1758, and most of the older writers. — Lophodytes cucullatus 

 of more recent authors. 



Figure 11. 



Comparison with the figure of the head will identify the male at once, 

 and the female is sufficiently similar. The "saw-bill" and the small size 

 would also separate it from the other fish ducks with which alone it could 

 be confounded. 



Distribution. — North America generally, south to Mexico and Cuba, 

 breeding nearly throughout its range. Casual in Europe. 



A common migrant throughout the state, and probably breeds much 

 more generally than is suspected. It doubtless nests along most of the 

 streams of the Lower Peninsula, as 

 well as in the northern parts of the 

 state. We have records of eggs or 

 young from Alcona county, Oscoda 

 county, Iosco county, Kent county, 

 Chippewa county, Kalkaska county, 

 and Calhoun county. Wherever it 

 is found in midsummer it may be 

 fairly assumed to be nesting, al- 

 though as with most ducks the males 

 leave the females after incubation 

 has begun and wander more or less, 

 sometimes alone, more often in com- 

 pany with other males. 



The bird nests invariably in the 

 hollow of a tree, often at a consider- 

 able height from the ground, and the 

 nest consists of grasses and down 

 from the breast of'^the mother. The j,jg „ h^^^^^ Merganser. 



eggs, six to ten in number, are pure (From Bailey's Handbook of Birds of the Western 



white, sometimes nest-stained, and united States. (Hougiuon, Mitfiin & Co.) 

 are rounded oval, sometimes almost globular. They average 2.09 by 1.75 

 inches. 



In habits this species is similar to other fish ducks, but is more partial 

 to the smaller and more rapid streams where it is believed, probably with 

 more or less reason, to feecl on the j^oung of various fishes, including bass 

 and trout. It often remains through the winter wherever open running 

 water furnishes a supply of food. It dives and swims beneath the water 

 with the utmost ease, and its quick motions either in the water or on the 

 wing make it a difficult bird to shoot. Its flesh is much more palatable 

 than that of the other mergansers, being often entirely free from fishy 

 taste. This fact gives color to the statements of some writers that it 

 feeds largely on vegetable food, a question which we have had no oppor- 

 tunity to investigate. 



TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION. 



In the adult male the larger part of the head and the whole of the neck and throat are 

 deep black, but there is a very long crest of pure white feathers tipped with black, which 



