The Goosander 



it makes extensive use of the nest-boxes put up for it and 

 other species by tlie Lapps. The eggs, which may be as 

 many as thirteen in number, are creamy white. The note 

 is a very harsh " kaar," and when swimming this bird is 

 not unlike a Cormorant in general outline. When wounded 

 it will always attempt to escape by diving. 



The male has the head and neck dark glossy green ; back 

 and scapulars brown, passing to grey on the rump ; wing 

 coverts white ; lower neck and under parts creamy white, 

 tinged with pink in the living bird. Bill and legs red. 

 The female is rufous brown on the head, greyish on the 

 upper parts and flanks, and huffish white below. She is 

 rather smaller than the male. The young resemble the 

 female. Length 25 in.; wing 11 in. 



THE RED-BREASTED MERGANSER 



Mergus serrator, Linnseus 



Nearly allied to the preceding species, the Merganser is 

 fairly common round our shores in winter, and nests in con- 

 siderable numbers in Scotland, both on lakes and tarns, as 

 well as on the coasts in the north and west. In Ireland 

 it is a very common resident, breeding especially abundantly 

 on the west coast. In habits and food it resembles the 

 Goosander, but is less frequently found inland and far more 

 partial to the sea than that species. The nest is not placed 

 in a hole but in thick cover at no great distance from water ; 

 the eggs, generally about ten in number, are of a pale 



265 34 



