60 NESTS AND EGGS OF 



taken by Mr. Emmet Adcock in Fairfield county, Ohio, in the Spring 

 of 1880. 



The Frigate bird is occasionally met with on the southern coasts 

 of Europe and on those of Africa — on Ascension Island and the Island 

 of St. Helena. In the Atlantic it visits the Bermudas. On the Pacific 

 coast it wanders as far north as San Francisco, and breeds on islands 

 off the coast of Western Mexico. It is said not to breed anywhere on 

 the Gulf coast except at two points at Key West. 



This bird is noted for its majestic flight and graceful aerial motions, 

 often soaring to sublime elevations. It may be known by its immense 

 wings and deeply forked tail, and colors of brownish-black, glossed 

 with green. 



It is a constant resident of the Bahamas, breeding on some of the 

 Keys in March. The nests are placed upon the mangroves, and are 

 composed of sticks loosely thrown together ; sometimes they are made 

 on the bare rocks. The Frigate bird breeds in large communities on 

 the islands ofi" the Pacific coast of Central America, nesting on high 

 trees and low shrubs. A single egg is laid, of a uniform, chalky white 

 color, and oval in shape; sizes range from 2.50 to 2.75 long, by 1.70 to 

 1.80 broad. 



129. Merganser Americanus (Cass.) [6^6.] 



American Merganser. 



Hab. North America generally. 



The Sheldrake, Goosander or Merganser, as it is variously called, 

 is a common bird throughout North America, breeding from the North- 

 ern States northward. It has lately been found breeding in New 

 Mexico ; Mr. N. S. Goss having seen a female with four little ones 

 July 2, on the Pecos River.* Is very abundant on fresh as well as salt 

 waters in spring and fall. The three species of Mergansers or Shel- 

 drakes with the " saw-bill " are commonly called " Fish Ducks." Their 

 flesh is rank and unpalatable. The male may be recognized by his 

 large size, white breast and green gloss on the head and neck, the lat- 

 ter scarcely crested ; the female, which is much smaller than the male, 

 has a deep red head and neck, with the crest better developed ; under 

 parts salmon-tinted. The nest is made in hollow trees, after the man- 

 ner of the Wood Duck, and is composed of moss, leaves and grasses, 

 warmly lined with down from the bird. In Northern Maine eggs are 

 deposited in the latter part of May or the first of June. The eggs are 

 six or eight and sometimes ten in number ; of yellowish or bufi" color, 

 and measure from 2.50 to 2.80 by 1.70 to 1.80. 



=;'Auk, Vol. IV, p. 344. 



