340 DUCK GROUP 



the drake, and the apparentl)' duller and browner hue of the head and 

 neck of the duck. Such trivial differences can, however, scarcely be 

 regarded as of more than racial importance, so that this Asiatic bird 

 seems best desis^nated Mcri^^ariser castor couiatus. To the s^reater part 

 of the British Isles, where it may be found alike on the sea and on 

 freshwaters, the ijoosander is a rare and late winter-visitor, making its 

 appeanince for the most part only in the depth of winter. In Scotland, 

 and more especially on the west coast, it is, however, a much less 

 uncommon visitor, and in a few localities, such as Argyllshire, 

 Suthcrlandshire, Perthshire, Ross-shire, and some of the islands of the 

 Hebrides group, it occasionally tarries to breed. Of a clutch of eggs 

 taken on Loch Awe in I\Ia\', one specimen is preser\ed in the British 

 Museum, and in July 1871 a duck and ducklings of this si)ecics were 

 seen on the same piece of water. Where old trees occur, the nest of 

 the goosander is placed in a hollow trunk ; but failing these it may be 

 situated in the cleft of a rock, while the birds will readily nest in boxes 

 placed for the purpose. The down with which the nest is lined and 

 filled when the eggs are laid is grey ; this alone being sufficient to 

 indicate that the species build in holes or clefts, all ducks which nest 

 in the open having brown or blackish down. From eight to a dozen 

 eggs, which are creamy buff in colour, constitute a clutch ; these being 

 laid in southern Scandinavia and Scotland from the latter part of April 

 to about the middle of May, although farther north the la}-ing season may 

 be delayed till June. To Ireland the goosander is a rare and irregular 

 visitor, although it seems probable that some individuals make their 

 appearance every year. 



As a rule, the goosander prefers fresh or brackish to salt water ; 

 and in India during the winter may^ be observed in small parties on 

 rivers and lakes, although it of course pairs off for the breeding-season. 

 In general habits, as well as in the nature of its food, it is very similar 

 to the smew ; in rising from the water it is somewhat slow and hcav\", 

 but when once fairly on the wing flies well and strongl)'. When 

 diving, it is stated to be able to remain under water for a couple of 

 minutes at a time. Its harsh note is of the t}'pe characteristic of 

 diving ducks in general. 



Merganser (Mer- ^^""^ merganser, or red-breasted merganser as it is 



transep serrator) c(jmmonly called (the Mcrgiis scrrator of some 



writers), may be distinguished, apart from its inferior 



size and weight, from the goosander by the upper part of the breast 



of the drake being rufous with black markings, and by the brown back 



