86 



GAME BIBDS OF CALIFORNIA 



the first week in October (Nelson, 1887, pp. 66-67). Tlie birds winter- 

 ing in California probably nest in British Columbia and Alaska ; and 

 the instances recorded of nesting in Washington and Oregon (Dawson, 

 1909, p. 762; Cooke, 1906, p. 20) may also pertain to mergansers 

 which winter in our state. 



In addition to a considerable difference in size, there are other 

 characters which enable one to distinguish the American and Red- 

 breasted mergansers. The most useful of these is the presence in the 

 male Red-breasted Merganser of a reddish brown breast band streaked 

 with black, and of a double rather than single head crest. Of less 

 utility for field identification is the color of the back and the presence 



Eed-breasted Merganser /' 

 Fig. 7. Side of bill. ^^ 



/ 



18814- 



18814 



Fig. 8. Top of bill. Natural size. 



Note slender outline (length more than three times height 

 at base), sharp "teeth", absence of cross-ridges on sides 

 (compare with figs. 9 and 17), and situation of nostrils rela- 

 tively near to base (compare with figs. 5 and 6). 



of two dark bars in the speculum of the wing. In the baud the nostrils 

 lying closer to the base of the bill than the middle easily identifies 

 either sex of this species (figs. 5 to 8). 



Although lacking the brighter colors of the American Merganser, 

 the Red-breasted also presents a beautiful appearance. Graceful as a 

 swimmer, it is strikingly adept as a diver. In diving it disappears 

 below the water instantly and almost without rippling the surface. 

 After returning to the surface some distance away the bird often 

 flaps its Avings as if to stretch itself, or more probably to shake its 

 plumage free from water and to readjust its feathers. Individuals 

 of this species have been seen to dive repeated^ through advancing 

 waves during rough weather. On land this merganser is said to 

 progress on its feet more rapidly than the diving ducks. On the 



