GOOSANDER, 49 
267. SMEW—(Mergus albellus), 
White Nun, Red-headed Smew (for young), Smee, Lough 
Diver, White-headed Goosander, White Merganser.—This bird 
helps us from the group of sea-loving Ducks just noticed to that 
of the Mergansers, whose diving habits and powers may be in- 
terred from their names. 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. 
268. HOODED MERGANSER—(Mergus cucullutus), 
A rare and accidental visitor to this country, and indeed to the 
European continent. 
169. RED-BREASTED MERGANSER—(Mergus serrator). 
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 incubation 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 22 inches long by 12 broad. 
270. GOOSANDER.—(Mergus merganser). | 
Dun Diver, Sparling Fowl, J acksaw, Saw-bill—A few of 
these birds also remain to breed in Britain, though by far the 
most retire to the north of Europe for that purpose. Tts nests 
aré common in both the Orkney Islands and the Hebrides. They 
are large, made of dry grass and roots, and lined with the down of 
the female, and placed amid bushes or stones, or in some cavity 
afforded by an old tree. The eggs rarely exceed six or seven, 
