758 THE AMERICAN MERGANSER. 
No. 304. 
AMERICAN MERGANSER. 
A.O, U. No. 1290. Mergus americanus Cass. 
Synonyms.—GoosanverR. SHELDRAKE. SAw-pin.. Fisn Duck. 
Description.—du/t male: Head and upper neck greenish black, the hind- 
neck loosely crested; upper back, inner scapulars, and a prominent short bar 
formed by exposed bases of greater coverts, black; the primaries and their coverts 
dusky; lower back and tail ashy-gray; neck all around, outer scapulars, most of 
the wing coverts, speculum, and entire underparts white, the latter delicately 
tinged with pale salmon (this generally fading to creamy-white in skins) ; 
tertiaries white, bordered narrowly with black; flanks wavy-barred, ashy-gray and 
white; bill and feet vermilion, the former black on ridge, with black hooked nail; 
iris carmine. Adult female and immature: More conspicuously crested on hind- 
head and nape; the head and upper neck dark cinnamon-brown, white on chin 
and sides of throat; above ashy blue-gray, with white speculum and black of 
wings much as in male; underparts white, shaded on sides with color of back, and 
faintly tinged with salmon; bill red with dusky ridge; feet chrome-yellow or 
orange, with dusky webs; eyes yellow. Length 25.00-27.00 (635-685.8) ; wing 
10.75 (273.1); tail 4.25 (108); bill 2.15 (54.6); bill from nostril 1.50 (38.1) ; 
tarsus 1.90 (48.3). Female averaging three or four inches shorter and propor- 
tioned accordingly. 
Recognition Marks.—Mallard to Brant size; long, narrow bill with promi- 
nent serrations on side; underparts white or pale salmon tinted; no rusty or 
ochraceous on breast; nostrils just within basal half of bill. Lovers of swift 
waters; river divers. 
Nesting.—Nest: occasionally on the ground, more commonly in hole of tree 
or stub, lined with moss, grasses, and feathers. Eggs: 6-16, yellowish’or creamy 
buff. Av. size, 2.65 x 1.80 (67.3x 45.7). Season: c. May Ist; one brood. 
General Range.—North America generally, breeding south in the United 
States to Pennsylvania and the mountains of Colorado and California. 
Range in Washington.—Common winter resident and migrant, less common 
summer resident; found thruout the State but more abundant coastwise. 
Authorities.—Baird, Rep. Pac. R. R. Surv. IX. 1858, p. 814. (T). C&S. 
L', Rh. D'. Sr. Kk. B: E, ' 
Specimens.—( U. of W.) Prov. B. 
THE first glimpse of this splendid bird ever vouchsafed the writer was 
upon the rock-bound shore of that matchless gem of mountain lakes, Chelan. 
The bird had been surprised at the water's edge, and winged as he attempted 
to rise. With instant decision he took to the water and dove sharply. 
When some twenty feet deep, he turned and paralleled the shore, intending 
to make a landing at some distance and secrete himself among the rocks. It 
was a rare sight from my vantage point some forty feet above, to watch the 
