Their Eggs and Nests. 229 



some cavity afforded by an old tree. The eggs rarely 

 exceed six or seven, not varying much in shade from 

 those of the next species, and are 2 J inches in length 

 by nearly If in breadth. 



- RED-BREASTED MERGANSER— (Af^r^^j j^^-r^/^r). 



Red-breasted Goosander. — This handsome bird is 

 an undoubted denizen of our country during the 

 breeding season, but in no great numbers in any year 

 or district. It breeds in Ireland, on islands in several 

 of the loughs ; also in the Hebrides and other 

 Scottish islands. The nest is made of long grass or 

 moss, small roots, dry water-herbage, mixed and lined 

 with the bird's own down, doubtless added to as in- 

 cubation proceeds. It is often placed at the foot of a 

 tree, if there be one on the islet selected. The eggs 

 are six to nine in number, of a pale buff or fawn 

 colour. They are 2J inches long by If broad. 



ch ' SMEW— (Mergus albellus\ 



White Nun, Red-headed Smew (for young), Smee, 

 Lough Diver, White-headed Goosander, White Mer- 

 ganser. — The Smew is perhaps quite the most common 

 of the entire family; but they are very wary and 

 difficult to approach. They are not known to breed 

 in any part of the United Kingdom. 



i. HOODED MERGANSER— (i^^f^^j cucullatus), 

 A rare and accidental visitor to this country, and 

 indeed to the European continent. As far as is 

 known, it makes its nest in the hollow of trees. 



