538 THE BIRDS OF HELIGOLAND 



in the Taimyr Peninsula, and Dr. Bunge met with the bird, to all 

 appearances numerously, on the islands of New Siberia, but failed 

 to discover either the nest or eggs. 



Merganser — Mergus. — This genus only contains five or six 

 species, three of which are resident in Europe, and also visit 

 Heligoland in more or less considerable numbers. Besides these 

 the beautiful American Hooded Merganser {Mergus cucullatus), 

 has several times been seen and killed on the coast of Great 

 Britain. 



342. — Goosander [Grosser Sagetaucher]. 



MERGUS MERGANSER, Linn. 



Heligolandish : Giihl Seehohn = Yellow Seacock. 



Mergus merganser. Naumann, xii. 356. 



Goosander. Dresser, vi. 685. 



Grand harle. Temininck, Manuel, ii. 88 1, iv. 556. 



During mild winters this stately bird is hardly ever seen here, 

 or at most now and again a blue-grey young individual or female. 

 On the other hand, on the connnencement of a severe frost, the 

 beautiful old males appear in fairly large numbers, and, in fact, are 

 at such times much more abundant than females and younger birds. 



It is really singular that this Merganser is not seen here every 

 winter, because it breeds numerously in Iceland, in Scandinavia, 

 and, if less frequently, also in Denmark, while its nests have been 

 found sporadically even in Sleswick-Holstein. In the east its 

 breeding range extends throughout the whole of northern Asia, 

 while in America it is represented by a form only distinguished 

 by a very slight difference in the markings of the wings. 



343. — Ked-breasted Merganser [Halsband-Sagetaucher]. 

 MERGUS SERRATOR, Linn. 



Heligolandish : Kringelt Seehohn = NecMet Seacock. 



Mergus serrator. Naumann, xii. 333. 



Red-hreasted Merganser. Dresser, vi. 693. 



Harle huppi. Temminck, Manuel, ii. 884, iv. 556. 



This Mei-ganser, as has been repeatedly mentioned in connection 

 with the Diving Ducks, visits the sea near and around Heligoland 

 in winters of enduring severity, in very large numbers, flocks of from 



