GOOSANDER 151 
AVERAGE MEASUREMENTS. 
ToTAL LENGTH ..- ee arated: in. 
WING nee 3) ay 
BEAK ve ss 15 re 
TARSO-METATARSUS 10S 4g 
EGe 9:3 sé 126i in. 
GOOSANDER. WMergus merganser (Linneus). 
Coloured Figures.—Gould, ‘Birds of Great Britain,’ vol. v, pl. 
34; Dresser, ‘Birds of Europe,’ vol. vi, pl. 452; Lilford, 
‘Coloured Figures,’ vol. vii, pl. 58; Booth, ‘ Rough Notes,’ 
vol. ili, pls. 18, 19. 
In this and the succeeding species the beak is long, 
narrow, strongly toothed, and hooked at the extremity. 
Hence the popular name of ‘Saw-Bill’ as applied to the 
Mergansers collectively. Though resident in parts of the 
Highlands of Scotland, the Goosander is better known as 
a winter-visitant to British waters, preferring the shelter 
of estuaries, harbours, and fresh-water lakes, to the open 
sea. It is not uncommon on the eastern coasts of England 
and Scotland, but is rare on the western and southern sides. 
In Ireland, it is of irregular occurrence, but with the 
onset of severe weather’ often appears in small numbers 
on our lakes, rivers, creeks, and harbours. It seldom 
arrives before the end of November, and is most plentiful 
in January. Large flocks are not met with, but parties 
consisting of from three to six may usually be seen. 
The male in mature plumage is very handsome, but 
is of rarer occurrence than the immature or female. 
When in company with the Red-breasted Merganser, the 
Goosander may be identified by its superior size, and by the 
greater amount of white in the plumage of the neck and 
breast. 
Food.—This species is almost entirely piscivorous, and 
is not only capable of descending to a great depth under 
water, but of travelling at a great speed in pursuit of fish. 
1 In the severe winter of 1881, Goosanders were obtained in many 
parts of Ireland (Payne-Gallwey, ‘ Fowler in Ireland’). 
