86 BIRDS OF THE HUDSON HIGHLANDS ; 



195. Mergus merganser americanus, Cassin. American 



Sheldrake. A common winter resident. 



This beautiful bird, though less abundant than the Red-breasted 

 Sheldrake, is still quite plentiful on the Hudson. It often sits on 

 shore, sunning itself and preening its feathers, or exploring crevices 

 along the rocky shore. It feeds principally on fishes, which it is 

 very expert at catching. I have often found a species of flat-fish in its 

 gullet. 



Dimensions.— Measurements of two adult females: length, 24-15; 

 stretch, 33-50; wing, 9-23; tail, 4-15; culmen, 1-92; tarsus, 1-90; mid- 

 dle toe and claw, 280; length from tip of bill to end of toes, 25-00. 

 Measurements of No. 1,343, $ ad., Hudson River at Cornwall, March 

 23, 1877, E. A. M. : length, 26-65; stretch, 37-00; wing, 10-30; tail, 

 4-75; culmen, 2-73; ga*pe, 2 75; tarsus, 1-92; middle toe and claw, 3-00; 

 length from tip of bill to end of toes, 27*30. 



196. Mergus serrator, Linne. Red-breasted Sheldrake. A 

 very abundant spring and fall migrant, and winter resident. 



Dimensions. — Average measurements of two adult males: length, 

 24-00; stretch, 35 -00; wing, 9 40; tail, 4-20 ; culmen, 2-35 ; gape, 2-90 tar- 

 sus, 1-86; middle toe, 2-40; its claw, -40. Average measurements of 

 two adult females : length, 22*00; stretch, 33-00; wing. 9-05: tail, 3-75; 

 culmen, 2-16; gape, 2-61; tarsus, 1-75; middle toe, 2-21; its claw, -35. 



197. Lophodytes cucullatus, Linne. Hooded Sheldrake. 

 A common winter resident. 



Dimensions. — Average measurements of two males: length, 18-38; 

 stretch, 26-50; wing, 7-25; tail, 3-81. 



Family, LABIDJE. 



198. Larus argentatus, Briinnich. Herring Gull. Usually a- 

 bundaut upon the Hudson during autumn, winter and spring, save 

 when the river is frozen. It breeds in the Adirondack mountains. 



199. Larus delawarensis, Ord. Ring-billed Gull. Occa- 

 sional in winter and spring. 



200. Larus atricilla, Linne. Laughing Gull. I have seen 

 a specimen, shot on the Hudson, at Cornwall, from a large flock; an- 

 other shot at Cold Spring, on the Hudson. Both birds were taken in 

 the spring. Another black-headed Gull was seen on the Hudson, 

 near Constitution Island; it was so gentle that a boatman attempted 

 to strike it with an oar, when it flew to a buoy and alighted. 



201. Larus philadelphise, Onl. Bonaparte's Gull. A winter 

 resident; abundant in autumn. 



Dimensions.— Average measurements of numbers 1,515 and 1,516 $ 



