l82 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



returning in October and November [sec Occurrence tables]. This is a 

 nearctic species breeding both in our austral and boreal zones and winter- 

 ing from the Northern States to Cuba and Mexico. 



This species inhabits the sluggish, wooded ponds and streams which 

 are also the haunts of the Wood duck and the Heron. Consequently it 

 does less hann b)' destroying fish than the other mergansers, but lives to a 

 considerable extent on aquatic insects and even partakes at times of vege- 

 table food. Its flesh, as might be expected, is more edible also, and for 

 all these reasons, as well as on account of its beautiful plumage, it is one of 

 the Duck family which might well be encouraged to live and propagate 

 within our borders. It is one of the four species of wild ducks which breed 

 to any extent in the State as a whole, and would do so more extensively 

 if properly protected. 



It is a beautiful sight to watch a com pan}- of these birds swimming 

 briskly along among the lily pads, all flashing and closing their crests in 

 time to their advance. Sometimes they may be seen perched motionless 

 upon a rock or stump. If disturbed they make off down the stream, patter- 

 ing the water in a long line of dimples as they dart away. Presently they 

 rise and wheel about and a slight whirring of wings is heard as they shoot 

 l^ast above you like so man}- winged arrows. 



Their nests are built in hollow trees of grasses and moss, lined with 

 down. The eggs are from 7-1 1, creamy white, 2.12 x 1.75 inches. 



Subfamily ANATINAB 



River Ducks 



Tarsi scutcllate in front; hind toe simple, or without lobe. The former 

 character separates River ducks from geese, the latter from Sea ducks. 

 Their bills are also proportionately longer, flatter and more adapted to 

 dabbling in water than those of Sea ducks, reaching a wonderful perfection 

 in the Shoveler. Their feet are also smaller than in Sea ducks, their legs 

 and necks shorter than in geese. The drakes and sometimes the ducks 

 have a tracheal tympantmi, or bon}- drum at the base of the windpipe, 

 a character which is also possessed by the Sea ducks. The drakes are fine 

 plumaged birds, usually with a bright, iridescent mirror, or beauty spot on 



