118 LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS — ANSERES. 



flocks of Harelda glacialis and (Edemia nigra, on YVaigatsch Island. A male shot in 

 the middle of September was changing its smaller plumage. This species is mentioned 

 by Middendorff as occurring in the forest region of Siberia ; and Mr. C. W. Shepard 

 found it breeding on a small island in the Lake of My-vatn, in the northwestern part 

 of Iceland ; this islet was composed of broken lava, and. was inhabited chiefly by this 

 bird and the Bucephala islandica, with which it was living on the most familiar terms. 

 Both of these birds were breeding in holes ; and some of their nests were beyond his 

 reach. In one instance a female of this species was found sitting on a nest in which 

 there were four eggs of the Barrow Golden-eye — which eggs are very unlike those 

 of this species. 



This species breeds annually in various parts of the British Islands, but is far 

 more abundant there in winter than in summer ; preferring bogs and estuaries, but 

 sometimes visiting rivers and inland waters. In some parts it is known as the " Saw- 

 bill." It is indigenous in Ireland, nesting on islets both of marine and of fresh-water 

 lakes. Mr. Selby found nests of this species upon Loch Awe, in Argyllshire. One 

 nest was on a small wooded island, placed among thick brushwood, under the shelter 

 of a projecting rock, and was surrounded with long grasses and ferns. It was carefully 

 made of moss plucked from the adjoining rocks, mixed with the down of the parent 

 bird, and in structure and materials resembled the nests of the Eider. It contained 

 nine eggs of a rich fawn-color, measuring 2.50 by 1.75 inches. The female was 

 remarkably tame, and remained sitting until nearly taken in a hand-net. 



Mr. Hewitson, in his excursion to the west coast of Norway, found this species 

 abundant on most of the lakes and rivers ; and the eggs were laid under shelter, 

 either on their margins, or in the interior of the numerous wooded islands. It breeds 

 in the mountains of Lapland, as high up as the birch-trees grow. 



The Red-breasted Merganser is given by Professor Bernhardt as one of the resi- 

 dent species of Greenland. It was found common on the Mackenzie River by Mr. 

 Boss. It was met with by Mr. Murray on Hudson's Bay; and from that region 

 specimens were also received by Captain Blakiston. 



Mr. Kumlien says that this species is a regular, but not very common, breeder in 

 Cumberland, beginning to nest about the first of July. On the Greenland coast it 

 nests as far north as latitude 73°. 



Mr. Dall received it from Sitka and Kadiak, through the agency of Mr. Bischoff ; 

 and also obtained a single specimen in May near Nulato, and several at St. Michael's 

 in July. It was not a very common bird in any locality. On a small island in the 

 Yukon, near its mouth, he found six nests of this species, all carefully concealed 

 under dry leaves ; most of them were under a log of driftwood in a small hollow, 

 and were lined with down from the breast of the parent. The nests contained 

 from six to ten eggs of a rich cream-color. The parents flew round and rouud the 

 island, but out of range. Mr. MacFarlane found a few of this species breeding in 

 the neighborhood of Fort Anderson and on the Lower Anderson River, in the wooded 

 country. One of the nests obtained by him contained ten eggs. 



This bird is very common about Eastport and Calais ; aud breeds both among the 

 islands in the Bay and on the margins of the inland ponds. Its nest was hardly 

 distinguishable from that of the Dusky Duck, and was placed on the ground, concealed 

 under shelter of some projecting object — bank, rock, or branch. There were generally 

 ten eggs ; but the number varied from nine to twelve. 



On Long Island, according to Giraud, this bird is known to the hunters as the Pied 

 Sheldrake ; it is not so abundant there as is the larger species. It feeds exclusively 

 on fish, and its flesh is not esteemed as a delicacy. 



