76 THE BIRDS OF MAINE 



X 2.17. The birds are essentially fish eaters, flying long dis- 

 tances to fishing grounds. They fly in perfect line, strung out 

 one behind the other, flapping their wings leisurely several 

 times in almost perfect unison, and then sailing a short distance 

 to be repeated. Suddenly the leader spies a fish and closing 

 his wings goes down with a splash into but generally not under 

 the water and the others of the flock follow. They swim and 

 splash around, poking their heads under the water and filling 

 their pouches with fish. The young birds are said to be fed 

 on predigested fish at first, later on being given ordinary 

 undigested food.* (See footnote.) 



Order ANSERES. Lamellirostral Swimmers. 



Family ANATIDyE. Ducks, Geese and Swans. 

 Subfamily MERGIN^E. Mergansers. 



Key to the species of MERGINvE. 



A. Serrations of both mandibles short and blunt, not distinctly inclined 



backwards at tips ; bill under 1.75 ; wing usually under 8.00. 

 Hooded Merganser. 



B. Serrations of both mandibles conspicuously toothlike and distinctly 



and strongly inclined backward at tips ; bill over 1.75 ; wing over 

 8.00. 



1. Feathering at base of upper mandible on sides not forming a 



distinct angle and projecting only very slightly forward ; dis- 

 tance from nostril to end of bill under 1.50. American Merganser. 



2. Feathering at base of upper mandible on sides forming a distinct 



prominent outuse angle and projecting markedly forward ; dis- 

 tance from nostril to end of bill over 1.50. Red-breasted Mer- 

 ganser. 



Genus MERGANSER Brisson. 



129. Merganser americanus (Cass.). American Merganser; 

 Shelldrake; Gooseander. 



Plumage of adult male : head and upper neck glossy greenish black; wing 

 coverts and secondaries (speculum) white, crossed by a very conspicuous 



* The Brown Pelican recorded by Dill in J. M. O. S. proves on investigation not to be a 

 Brown Pelican at all. It is a South American species of Pelican and was an escaped bird, being 

 one of three kept as pets by a resident of Castine, As such it has no right to be called a bird of 

 Maine. 



