494 



ANSEIiES. 



ANATIDiE. 



ANATIDjE. 



Meegus serrator, Liniiffius*. 

 THE RED-BREASTED MERGANSER. 



Merc I us serrator. 



The Red-breasted Merganser is a species that breeds 

 annually in some parts of Scotland and Ireland ; though by 

 far the larger portion of the birds which are found in this 

 country may be considered but as winter visitors which 

 arrive here late in autumn, and retire in spring to various 

 parts of Scandinavia and other high northern localities. In 

 winter, particularly during severe weather, they are not 

 uncommon on our coast, appearing to prefer bays and 

 estuaries, but sometimes pursuing the course of rivers and 

 visiting inland waters. On the east coast of England, 

 especially off Lincolnshire and Norfolk, they are decidedly 

 less numerous than the Goosander, and Mr. Cecil Smith 



* Merr/us Serrator, Linnaeus, Syst. Nat. Ed. 12, i. p. 208 (1766). 



