53 



the most numerous species, and on the Chesapeake the Canvas-back 

 also occurs, though in rapidly decreasing numbers. 



The Hooded Merganser, Gadwall, Ring-neck, Ruddy Duck, 

 Shoveller, Snow Goose and Swan, are everywhere less common, and 

 are quite rare on the New Jersey coast, while the following are mere 

 stragglers : English Widgeon, Harlequin, American and King 

 Eiders, Lesser Snow, Blue and White-fronted Geese and Black 

 Brant. 



Many of the rare species on our coasts and bays are stragglers 

 from the west, where they are plentiful ; such are the Shoveller, 

 Snow, Lesser Snow, Blue and White-fronted Geese and Black 

 Brant, while the Mallard is much more plentiful in the west than in 

 the east. 



43. Merganser americaniis (Cass.). American Mer- 

 ganser. Sheldrake. 



Breeding Range — Northern U. S., northward. 

 Winter Distribution — Southward to Texas. 



Tolerably common transient on the bays along the coast and up 

 the larger rivers, arriving about Oct. 15. Some remain all winter, 

 and the last leave in the spring, about the end of April. (Once 

 noted at Atlantic City, N. J., as late as May 5 — De Haven.) 



Mr. A. Koch reports finding flocks of young birds with the old 

 ones on the Susquehanna river near Williamsport, and considers tiiat 

 they breed there every season. This species may breed sparingly in 

 other parts of northern Pennsylvania. 



44. Merganser serrator (Linn.). Red-breasted 

 Merganser. 



Breeding Range — Northern border of U. S., northward. 

 Winter Distribution — Southward throughout U. S. 



Common transient and partly winter resident on the coast and 

 bays, but apparently not found inland as frequently as the preceding. 

 Occurs most abundantly from the latter part of October to December, 

 and in spring, April 5 to first week of May. Some are reported all 

 summer at Anglesea by Capt. Taylor and Mr. Laurent (0. <^ 0., 

 1892), and Mr. Scott records tlie same thing at Long Beach, saying 

 that he considers such birds to be barren individuals, as no nests 

 have ever been found {B. J^. 0. C, 1879). 



