63 
of what is called the eclipse plumage. Contrary to the rule that generally 
governs plumage changes, many of these species moult all their wing quills 
at once and are, therefore, flightless until refledged. During this period of 
comparative helplessness many males assume a peculiar plumage of less 
conspicuous character than that normally worn, usually approcahing that 
of the female. During this time the birds withdraw to the innermost 
recesses of their habitats and hide so closely as to be seldom seen by the 
casual observer. By the time the shooting season opens most have come 
out of the eclipse, but the few that still retain traces of it are sufficiently 
numerous to increase the number of plumages to be recognized and to 
complicate their differentiation." 
Economic Status. Anseres is, economically, one of the most important 
orders of birds; not, as in the case of other birds, so much on account of 
their food habits, for these are largely of negative influence in human 
affairs, as in other ways. In the early days of settlement of the country 
they furnished a most important food supply to the struggling inhabitants 
and even now the total annual number killed by sportsmen is an imposing 
addition to our food resources. 
FAMILY—-ANATID®. DUCKS, GEESE, AND SWANS. 
General Description. As this is the only family included under the order Anseres the 
descriptive matter under the previous heading applies here and need not be repeated. 
The family is divided into five subfamilies: the Mergine or Mergansers; 
Anatide or River Ducks; Fuliguline or Sea Ducks; Anserine or Geese; 
and the Cygnine or Swans. For the characters of these see under proper 
headings following. 
Subfamily—Mergine. Mergansers. Fishing Ducks. Saw-bills. 
General Description. Fish-eating ducks with a more cylindrical, tapering, and less 
spatulate or flattened bill, than the other ducks (Figure 7, p. 19). The cutting edges of 
the mandibles have a series of serrations giving foundation for the popular name “‘Saw- 
bill”. The nail on the tip of the bill forms a small but evident hook. The hind toe is 
developed into a flat paddle or fin-shaped lobe similar to that of the Sea Ducks but quite 
different from the hind toe of the River Ducks which follow. The males are brightly and 
strikingly coloured, mostly in black and white. The females are dull coloured with reddish 
heads and necks. Most plumages have crests. In the females and young birds the crests 
are ragged and without well-defined shape. 
Distinctions. The bill is always diagnostic and easily distinguishes the Mergansers 
from the Sea Ducks which resemble them in the character of the hind toe. 
Field Marks. Evident duck-like form combined with the long, slender, cylindrical, 
and slightly hooked bill. 
Nesting. Mergansers are mostly river haunters in the breeding seasons, nesting either 
on ground or in hollow trees. 
Distribution. A small family, most of its species inhabit the northern hemisphere. 
Mergansers feed upon fish and shell-fish captured under water by 
diving; for this method of feeding their hooked and serrated bills are admir- 
ably adapted. They are, during the breeding season, mostly freshwater 
frequenters though they visit the sea sometimes in large numbers. They 
‘Another common source of confusion is the prevalence of a red rust coloration that often occurs on various parts 
of the head or body and is common to many species of Anseres. It is due to an iron deposit from the water the birds 
nhabit, and should not be regarded as normal plumage coloration. 
