66 BRITISH NESTING BIRDS 



Materials Used. — At the end of the tunnel (which is hewn out by 

 the bird itself) there is placed a collection of straw, dry grass, 

 and a profusion of feathers. 



Eggs. — Four to Six. White and pointed; .7 by .4S inch. 



Food. — Insects. 



Voice. — A low, querulous note is uttered when the bird is on the 

 wing, and a kind of scream when the bird gets excited. 



Chief Features. — Nests in colonies, and the birds quite riddle a long- 

 frequented nesting site with their ingenious tunnels. The 

 small size and mouse-coloured back at once identify this species. 



Plumage. — Mouse-coloured uppermost, and on cheeks, with a broad 

 bar on the breast ; white on fore part of neck, belly, and under 

 tail-coverts; legs and feet not downy as in House Martin, but 

 naked, with exception of a few small feathers towards the hind 

 toe; the somewhat short tail is forked. Length. — Five inches. 



MERGANSER, RED-BREASTED (Mergits senator) 



Local Names. — Bar Drake, Diving Goose, Lesser Dun Diver, Lesser 

 Toothed Diver, Red-Breasted Goon, Red-Breasted Goosander, 

 Sawbill, Saw Neb, Sawyer. 



Haunt. — Large sheets of water inland and the sea coast. 



Xesting Period. — End of May to early in July. 



Site of Nest. — On an island, or close to edge of a lake; under shelter 

 of a rock.or a depression in the ground ; also among grass or scrub. 



Materials Used. — Heather twigs, grass, and leaves, lined with down. 



Eggs. — Six to Nine, or more. Pale olive-grey; glossy. 



Food. — Small fish and molluscs. 



Voice. — A harsh " karr-karr." 



Chief Features. — A handsome species, only known in the South as 

 a Winter visitor, breeding north of the Clyde. A shy and 

 wary bird, often disappearing under water when approached. 

 So called because of chestnut on lower neck. 



IHumage. — Red bill and irides; dark glossy green head, crest, and 

 upper neck ; white collar below, which is separated on the nape 

 by a thin black line running to the back, which is also black ; 

 black on inner scapulars, outer ones white; white speculum 

 with black bars; rump, flanks, and tail-coverts grey, and 

 vermicular in character; pale chestnut lower neck with black 

 streaks, a prominent tuft of white feathers with black edges on 

 each side; white underneath; reddish-orange legs and feet. 

 Length. — Twenty-four inches. The female is reddish-brown on 

 head and neck, and is less gaudy and smaller. 



