THE GOOSANDER. 527 
wake of a boat from which it had been wounded: and it 
actually followed for a considerable distance before it was 
discovered. I have noticed, in other Sea Ducks, this trait 
of following behind a boat, and conclude that it is done for 
concealment. 
I am not aware that this species breeds in New Eng- 
land. It breeds in localities in the same latitude with 
the most northern sections of these States; but I am 
inclined to think that it is less of a southern species than 
the succeeding. 
It is described as selecting for its nesting-place a small 
island, usually in the neighborhood of the sea, sometimes 
in the interior. ‘‘The nest is very large; at times raised 
seven or eight inches on the top of a bed of all the dead 
weeds which the bird can gather in the neighborhood. 
Properly speaking, the real nest, however, is not larger 
than that of the Dusky Duck, and is rather neatly formed 
externally of fibrous roots, and lined round the edges with 
the down of the bird.” There are usually about eleven 
egos. These are generally nearly oval in shape, sometimes 
ovoidal. They are of a pale yellowish-drab color, much 
darker than those of the Sheldrake. They vary in dimen- 
sions from 2.63 by 1.82 inch to 2.48 by 1.75 inch. 
MERGUS AMERICANUS. — Cassin. 
The Goosander ; Sheldrake; Fish Duck. 
Mergus merganser, Wilson. Am. Orn., VIII. (1814) 68. Nutt. Man., II. (1834) 
460. Aud. Orn. Biog., IV. (1838) 261. J0b., Birds Am., VI. (1843) 387. 
Mergus Americanus, Cassin. Pr. A. N. Se. (1853), 187. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Feathers of the forehead extending on the bill in an acute angle for half the dis- 
tance between those on the sides and the nostril; outline of those on the sides nearly 
vertical, and reaching only a little beyond the beginning of lower edge of bill, but as 
far as those on the side of lower jaw; nostril large, far forward, its middle*opposite 
the middle of the commissure. 
Male. — Head without conspicuous crest; head and neck green; forepart of back 
black; beneath salmon-color; wings mostly white, crossed by one band of black: 
sides scarcely barred transversely; iris carmine. 
