60 



redhead {Fidigula Jerina americana) is a rare visitant on the Ottawa 

 in the spring. They are, however, to be found in considerable numbers 

 about Black Bay, near the moutli of the North Nation River, in the 

 fall. The body of the male bird is of a blueish-grey colour, the head 

 red, the breast and the lower part of the neck bJack. The plumage of 

 the female — 9s is generally tlie case amongst birds — is much less 

 attractive than that of the male. The red head and the silky black 

 band around the breast are wanting in the female. The redhead is a 

 large heavy duck, and is considered excellent for the table. Large 

 flocks of these birds frequent Chesapeake Bay, in the United States, 

 where they watch the canvas-backs when the latter are diving for the 

 wild celery. After a long dive, the instant the canvas-backs emerge, 

 the redheads rush at them and rob them of the fruits of their labour. 

 The canvas-back eats the root only , of the valisneria, while his 

 plunderer — pirate as he is — devours both the roots and the leaves of 

 the plant. Like the canvjis-back, the redhead will eat little of any- 

 thing else wliile it can get the %vild celery, which causes the flesh of the 

 latter almost to rival in delicacy of flavour the former celebrated bird. 

 The sheldrake, goosander or water-pheasant {Merc/us merganser) is the 

 largest and lieaviest of the mergansers to be met with here. The male of 

 the largest size frequently reaches the weight of five pounds. In spring, 

 when the plumage of all wild ducks is most beautiful, the male of this 

 species is black on the back, breast and belly a rich cream colour, head 

 and neck a daik glossy green. The bill is long, narrow, strongly 

 serrated, with a crimson line running from the base to the point on 

 each side. The female is much less gorgeously arrayed. She is of an 

 uniform light slate colour on the back, white belly, and rusty coloured red 

 head, slightly tufted. In the fall the male bird appears in the less 

 attractive livery of his mate. These birds make their appearance here 

 early in the spring in the fiist open water, and remain until the ice 

 warns them to depart. Many, however, remain all wintei', and may be 

 seen with the golden-eyes in rapids and at the foot ot waterfalls. Next 

 to the loon, or the red-throated diver, the sheldrake takes the front 

 rank in capacity for speed and endurance under water. The sheldrake 

 svitsists upon fish, consequently its flesh has a fishy flavour, which 

 requires some knowledge of cookei-y to overcome. I have seen twelve 



