THE BIRD BOOK 



130. Red-breasted Merganser. Mergus ser- 



rator 



Range. — North America, breeding from north- 

 ern United States northward. 



This species is more abundant than the pre- 

 ceding. It is slightly smaller, being 22 inches in 

 length, and the male is crested. Found abundant- 

 ly in the United States in winter. Breeds com- 

 monly in the interior of British America and in 

 Labrador and Newfoundland. They make their 

 nests on the ground, near the water, concealing 

 them under rocks or tufts of grass. The nest is 

 made of grasses, leaves and moss and lined with 

 feathers. They lay, generally, about ten eggs of 

 a buffy or greenish buff color. Size 2.50 x 1.70. 

 Data. — Lake Manitoba, N. W. Canada. Two eggs 

 in a hollow lined with down, under a patch of rose 

 bushes near shore. Collector, Jos. Hamaugh. 



131. Hooded Merganser. 

 Lophodytes cucullatus. 



Range. — -North America, breeding locally through- 

 out its range, in the interior. These are beautiful 



Hooded Merganser 



Mallard 



W 



little Ducks distinguished from all others by the semi-circular, compressed 

 crest which is black with an enclosed white area. They make their nests in 

 hollow trees, in wooded districts near the water, lining the cavity with 

 grasses and down. They lay ten or twelve grayish white eggs. Size 2.15 x 1.70. 



132. Mallard. Anas platyrhynchos. 



Range. — Northern Hemisphere, breeding in America from northern United 

 States northward, and wintering south to Panama and the West Indies. 



Contrasting with the preceding Pish Ducks, the Mallards are regarded as 

 one of the most esteemed table birds. They feed on mollusks and marine 

 insects which they generally reach by tipping in shallow water. They nest in 

 many localities in the United States but more abundantly north of our borders. 

 They nest in fields in close proximity to ponds or lakes, placing their nests 

 of grasses and feathers in the tall grass. In May and June they lay from six 

 to ten eggs of a buffy or olive color. Size 2.25 x 1.25. Data. — San Diego, Cali- 

 fornia, May 19, 1897. Nest made of grass, lined with down, placed on the edge 

 of a field near a pond. 



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