178 RIVER DUCKS. 



No. 169. RED BREASTED MERGANSER. 



Order: Anseres. Genus: Merganser. 



Family: Anatidae. Species: M. serrator. 



Distribution: 



A common transient visitor, rarely wintering. 



Date of Arrival: 

 March, April. 



Date of Departure: 



Middle of October, throunfli November. 



General Plumage: 



Male, upper parts white and black, rump ashen marked, head 

 black crested, white eye ring; under parts wliile, throat black, 

 upper breast with wide rufous band, black streaked. Fuinale 

 and immature, crown brownish, rest of head and throat rutbus, 

 other parts white and ashen. Bill red, feet orange. Length 

 about 22.00. 



Song and Other Notes: 

 A ^' croak. " 



Hamits: 



Rivers and ocean. 



