GOLDFINCH AND GOOSANDER 47 



Materials Used. — Moss, lichen, wool, hair, etc. Nest is very similar 

 to that of the Chaffinch, but shallower. 



Eggs. — Four or Five. Pale grey or bluish, spotted with greyish- 

 purple and red-brown. Sometimes streaked as well as spotted. 



Food. — Weed seeds, and especially fond of thistles when the latter 

 are seeded in Autumn. 



Voice. — A bright, cheery call, consisting of several notes rapidly 

 uttered. The song is also very shrill, and parts of it are of a 

 high order. 



Chief Features. — This bird was rapidly decreasing, but, as a result 

 of protection, is now on the increase. Being handsomely 

 attired and very active in its habits, this is a favourite Finch. 

 The male and female are, contrary to most birds, very much 

 alike. The young are quite different, and are called Grey Pates. 



Plumage. — Black head at the back, as well as the nape and feathers 

 round the base of the bill ; front of head and throat blood-red ; 

 white cheeks, fore-neck, and under parts ; dark-brown back and 

 scapulars; wings are variegated with white, black, and yellow; 

 black tail, tipped with white. Length. — Five inches. 



GOOSANDER (Mergiis merganser) 



Local Names. — Dun Diver, Harle Duck (female or young male), 

 Jack-Saw, Sawbill, Sparling Fowl. 



Haunt. — Inland waters as well as the sea. 



Nesting Period. — April and May. 



Site of Nest. — Banks of fresh-water lochs, among grass, in a hole, 

 under a rock, or in a hollow tree-stump. 



Materials Used. — Moss, dry grass, roots, etc., with a lining of down 

 from the bird's own body. 



Eggs. — Seven or Eight. Oval in shape; creamy-yellow or buff. 



Food. — Fish. 



Voice. — A low whistling cry. 



Chief Features. — Chiefly a Winter visitor, but breeds in the North 

 of Scotland. As the Latin name implies, it is a Merganser. 

 It assumes an awkward attitude on land, as the legs are placed 

 very far back, but when on or in the water it is very alert and 

 swift in its actions. Has a serrated bill, which enables the 

 bird to more securely hold its prey. 



Plumage. — Blood-red bill and irides; glossy dark-green head and 

 upper neck; neck underneath and under parts white with a 

 salmon-pink tinge; black scapulars and upper back; white 

 on wing-coverts; primaries and some of the secondaries ash- 

 brown; ash-grey on lower back and tail; orange-red legs and 

 feet. The female is not so richly dressed as her mate, and is 

 reddish-brown on head and neck. Length. — Twenty-six inches. 



