760 THE RED-BREASTED MERGANSER. 
No. 305. 
RED-BREASTED MERGANSER. 
A, O. U. No. 130. Mergus serrator Linn. 
Synonyms.—ReEp-BREASTED SHELDRAKE, SHELLDRAKE. SAW-BILL. 
Description.—Adu/t male: Head all around black, with a greenish gloss on 
sides above; a loose crest from crown to nape; middle of neck all around white; 
lower neck all around (narrowly and impurely behind) and fore-breast, cinnamon- 
rufous streaked with black; sides of breast, upper back, and inner scapulars 
black; a tuft of enlarged feathers on sides of breast before wing, each feather 
white, bordered completely with black; wing-coverts, outer scapulars, speculum, 
and inner secondaries white, the last black-edged; two narrow transverse black 
bars formed by exposed bases of greater coverts and secondaries ; primary-coverts, 
outer secondaries, and primaries blackish; sides and around on rump heavily 
wavy-barred, black and white; lower back and tail ashy gray, more or less speckled 
or wavy-barred on tips with black and whitish; lower breast, belly, and crissum 
white, usually tinged with pale salmon or cream color; bill narrower than in 
preceding species; bill and feet bright red, the former with dusky ridge; eyes 
carmine. ddult female and immature: Similar to those of preceding species, but 
head duller, grayish chestnut; white of wing without black bars; position of 
nostrils distinctive; bill and feet duller-colored. Length 20.00-25.00 (508-635) ; 
wing 9.60 (243.8); tail 3.25 (82.6); bill 2.20 (55.9); bill from nostril 1.75 
(44.5); tarsus 1.75 (44.5). Female somewhat smaller than male. 
Recognition Marks.—\Mallard size; narrow serrated bill; head loosely 
crested ; reddish of breast and sides wavy-barred black and white, specifically dis- 
tinctive for male. Females of this species cannot be told out of hand from those 
of M. americanus. In hand the nostril within basal third of bill (as distinguished 
from nostril just within basal half for 4M. americanus) is diagnostic. River divers. 
Nesting.—Nest: on the ground under logs, brush, rocks, and the like, near 
water; lined with leaves, moss, and feathers. Eggs: 6-12, creamy buff or dull 
buffy green. Av. size, 2.56% 1.76 (65x 44.7). Season: April 20-May 10; one 
brood. 
General Range.—Northern portions of the northern hemisphere; south in 
winter thruout the United States; breeding northerly in the United States and in 
the mountains of the West. 
Range in Washington.—Common resident on streams and lakes thruout the 
State; more common winter resident and migrant on Puget Sound, 
Authorities.—|[ Lewis and Clark, Hist. Ex. (1814) Ed. Biddle: Coues, Vol. 
Il. p. 193.] Baird, Rep. Pac. R. R. Surv. IX. 1858, p. 815. C&S. Rh. D'. Kb. D2. 
Kk. B. E. 
Specimens.—U. of W. Prov. BN. 
SWIMMING is the way of nature and flying a slowly acquired art for 
the Shelldrakes. The adults, indeed, are capable of rising quickly and flying 
with great rapidity at a considerable height, but oftener they patter over the 
