526 ANATIDi^i:. 



flavour prevents it from passing muster as a Duck. Of its 

 nesting little or nothing is known. In the north of Devon 

 it is called, according to Montagu, " Yare Wigeon," from 

 the supposed resemblance of its head to that of a " vare " 

 or weasel. I have also heard it called the "AYeascl Duck" 

 in Norfolk. 



THE HOODED MERGANSER. 



MERGUS CUCULLATUS. 



Head and upper part of the neck black ; head ornamented with a semi- 

 circular crest, of which the half behind the eyes is white, edged with black ; 

 back black ; wings brown and white ; under plumage white, with two crescent- 

 shaped' marks as in the last ; bill and feet dull red. Length eighteen inches. 

 Female smaller; crown reddish brown; upx)er plumage dark brown. Eggs 

 white. 



An American species, of which only a very few stray 

 specimens have been observed in this country. An 

 interesting account of this species, quoted from Audubon, 

 will be found in Yarrell's " British Birds," vol. iii. 

 p. 384, &c. 



THE RED-BREASTED MERGANSER. 



MERGUS SERRATOR. 



Head, crest, and neck black, with greenish reflections ; a white collar round the 

 neck ; breast reddish brown, spotted with black ; near the insertion of the wing 

 several white spots, edged with black ; speculum white, divided by two 

 transverse black bars ; back black ; belly white, barred on the flanks and 

 rump with wavy grey lines ; bill and irides red ; feet orange. Length twenty- 

 two inches. Female smaller ; head and crest reddish brown ; breast mottled 

 with ash and white ; upper plumage and flanks deep ash-colour ; speculum 

 with one black bar ; bill and feet dull orange ; irides brown. Eggs 

 whitish ash. 



This large and handsome bird is not uncommon in the 

 estuaries and rivers of Great Britain, but is most frequent 

 in the north. The adult male is less frequently seen than 

 females and young males, which closely resemble one 



