762 THE HOODED MERGANSER. 



ing the hrimd l)y culting dut four of the laggards; and tliese tlie mother bird 

 appeared to resign as slie urged the others out into tlie open water. But the 

 little quartette were Ijrave, for they sighted the first loophole of opportunity 

 antl raced past me single-file, like little sizzling meteors. The mother and 

 brotiiers awaited their approach in trembling anxiety, anil the reunited family 

 set ofY at a terrific ])ace without allowing the little ad\-enturers an instant's 

 rest. But here the bird-man quite desisted. (lenerous? Oh, no: just 

 dog-tired. 



We are accustomecl tn regard trout as symbols nf strength and agility, but 

 so successful is this bird in pursuing its finny pre_\- in their native torrents that 

 it gets itself cordially hated by the angler as well as admired 1)\- the orni- 

 thologist. A wise Merganser learns to know its friends, and in the presence 

 of the other sort manages to reconnoiter with onl\- the bill and the top of the 

 head thrust out of water. This ruse is invariably adiijited by a woimded bird 

 in making its escape. 



This bird is reported as nesting near the ocean, but all we lia\e seen have 

 been in the vicinity of fresh water. Eggs are laid in scantily constructed nests, 

 under drift-wood, logs or rocks, and always near water. The male deserts his 

 mate as soon as the eggs are laid, and lives a life of lonely and selfish, albeit 

 adventurous, ease. In winter the liirds are found u])on salt water in con- 

 siderable numbers; and from the fact that fiocks of si.K or eight are about the 

 average, we jtidge that family groups remain clustered about their mother 

 until early spring. 



No. sod. 



HOODED MERGANSER, 



.'\. O. U. No. 131. Lophodjtes cucullatus (Linn.). 



Description. — .Id 11 1 1 male: Head with a large compressed semi-circular 

 crest : sides of crest white in large sector, or o]:)en-fan-shaped patch : the edge 

 black in a sharply delined border ; fore-crown deep brown : remainder of head 

 and neck all around, upperparts, and two transverse crescentic l)ars on each side 

 invading white of breast, deep brownish black (coal black on lower scapulars) ; 

 lesser and middle wing-coverts ashy gray ; speculum and tips of greater coverts 

 white ; two small transverse black bars formecl by exposed bases of greater coverts 

 and ijf secondaries; inner secondaries and tertials white, heavily bordered with 

 lilack : sides pale to rich cinnamon-rufous, wavy-barred with dusky; bill compara- 

 tively short, narrow, black; nostril barely within basal third (measured from 

 anterior margin of loral feathering) ; feet light brown ; eyes yellow. Adult 

 female: Head, neck, fore-lireast, sides of breast and sides dull grayish brown; 

 the crest much thinner than in male, cntirclv cinnamon-brown ; upperparts deep 



