322 THE COMPLETE WILDFOWLER 
In Scotland it is known to nest in a few localities, but on 
the west coast and in Ireland it is decidedly rare. The nest 
is placed in a hollow among rocks, or in a tree, and in 
Sweden and Lapland it makes extensive use of the nest-boxes © 
put up for it and other species by the Lapps. The note — 
and when swimming this bird is not — 
unlike a Cormorant in general outline. When wounded it will — 
” 
is a very harsh ‘‘kaar, 
always attempt to escape by diving. 
The male has the head and neck dark glossy green and 
purple; back and scapulars brown, passing to grey on the 
rump; wing coverts white ; lower neck and under parts creamy 
white, tinged with pink in the living bird. Bill and legs red. 
The female is chestnut on head, greyish on the upper parts 
and flanks, and buffish white below. She is rather smaller 
than the male. The young resemble the female. Length 
about 26 in. ; wing II in. 
SMEW 
Mergus albellus (Linneus) 
This species, the smallest and scarcest of the Sawbills, is a 
rare straggling autumn and winter migrant to these isles, its 
breeding haunts being near the limit of tree growth through- 
out Northern Europe. It may be found on inland rivers and 
lakes, as well as in sheltered bays and estuaries on the coast. 
Immature examples with a red head are far more numerous than 
the adults, and old males in full plumage do not often occur. 
This is one of the species that occupies the boxes in Sweden 
and Lapland, and the discovery of its eggs fifty years ago was 
due to the energy and perseverance of an Englishman, John 
Wolley, who, after about four years’ search, succeeded in 
obtaining three eggs together with a sitting bird. 
The adult male is entirely white, except for the mantle and 
quills, which are jet black: The rump, upper tail-coverts, and 
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