The Ducks. 



153 



THE SMEW. 

 {Mergus albellus.) 



The Smew 



a North American species, and onl}' visits Great Britain in winter, when it is found 

 on our western coasts as well as in other parts of western Europe. It sometimes 

 assembles in enormous flocks, extending for ten miles in length. The nest i.s made 

 of reeds, grass and water-plants, lined 

 with down. The eggs are from five to 

 eight in number, of a slightly greenish 

 cream-colour, and they measure nearly 

 two-and-a-half inches in length, 



Easdy recognised 

 by its. white .plumage, 

 varied with black mark- 

 ings. The male has a distinct white crest. 

 The female is a grey bird with a rufous 

 head and neck and .white under surface. 

 The Smew breeds in Northern Europe 

 and Siberia and visits the Mediterranean 

 countries in winter, as well as North- 

 western India and China. It occurs on the coasts of Great Britain in winter, but 

 is rarer on the western side of our islands. The nest is made in a hollow tree, 

 and consists only of the down of the bird. The eggs are seven or eiglit in number, 

 of a creamy white in colour, and scarcely to be distinguished from those of the 

 Wigeon ; they measure about two inches in length. 



This handsome Duck is an inhabitant of North America, 

 and has only visited Great Britain on a few occasions. It has 

 not been observed anywhere else in Europe, It is easily 

 recognised b\- its striking coloration and crested head. It is 

 a shv bird during the breeding-season and collects in flocks in 



the winter, like the 

 Smew. The nest 

 is placed in the 

 hollow of a tree or 

 log, and IS made 

 of dry grass, lined 

 with grey down. 

 The eggs are white 

 and nearl}' round 

 in shape. They are 

 ol an ivory-white, 

 and measure two or 

 two - and - a - quarter 

 The Hooded Merganser The Goosander. inches in length. 



THE HOODED 



MERGANSER. 



(Lophodytes 



cucullatus.) 



