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M. baeri (Radde), Eastern White- 

 eyed duck. 



M. ferina (L.), Pochard. 



M. marila (L), Scaup. 



M. mariloides, Eastern Scaup. 



Oidemia fusca (L.), Velvet Scoter. 



O. carbo (Pall), Eastern Velvet 

 Scoter. 



Sub-Family, Merginae, The Mergansers. 



The bill of Mergansers is very long, 

 narrow, and rounded, with numerous 

 tooth-like projections along the sides. 

 They are fish-eating ducks, their ser- 

 rated bills enabling them easily to hold 

 their prey, which is pursued and caught 

 under water. They swim rapidly, and 

 excell all other ducks as divers. When 

 suddenly startled they may rise directly 

 from the water, but usually they pat 

 the surface for some distance with their 

 feet, and rise against the wind. Their 

 flight is strong, straight, and swift. 



Of the nine recognized species of 

 Mergansers, three are found in the 

 Yangtse Valley. 



THE SMEW, 



MEEGELLUS ALBELLUS (L) . 

 [ Mergus albellus (L) ] 



Description. — Length 17 inches 

 Bill, legs, and feet lead grey. Iris 

 reddish brown. Head and neck white 

 with the exception of a black patch 

 around the eye, and a black stripe on 

 the crown and down the back of the 

 neck including the crest. Back most- 

 ly black. Tail grey. Greater wing, 

 coverts have two narrow white bars. 

 Secondaries black tipped with white. 

 Flanks vermiculated with grey. Un- 

 der parts white. 



