DUCKS, GEESE, AND SWANS: Family Anatidae [175] 



It is much more common on the fresh waters than on salt water, and the 

 similar-appearing females found on the bays and salt waters are largely 

 of the species next discussed. One of the spots in Oregon where we have 

 enjoyed seeing these birds, either from the train or from the highway, is 

 along the Wallowa River. This river is a famous resort for mergansers, 

 particularly during the winter, and one seldom makes a trip through the 

 river canyon without seeing numbers of them. 



These mergansers are among the most interesting of all Oregon water- 

 fowl. Wonderfully skilled in the water, their big powerful paddles drive 

 them through the waters of the swift streams with speed enough to catch 

 any of the finny denizens. They are rather clumsy on land and usually 

 do not venture far from the water's edge. They are also rather heavy of 

 body, and the large males frequently have difficulty in launching them- 

 selves into the air, pattering along the surface much after the manner of 

 coots until they obtain momentum enough to rise. Once in the air, they 

 are strong, rapid flyers. 



During March and April, observers are occasionally fortunate enough 

 to see the courtship antics when two or more of the brilliantly colored 

 males display to the best advantage their various plumage markings for 

 the benefit of the female, who usually appears entirely indifferent until 

 she selects the favored suitor. After the young are grown it is quite 

 common to see family parties consisting of i to 10 females, or young in 

 the female plumage, to every adult male. 



The species nests along the swifter streams and about the shores of the 

 larger lakes throughout the State, building its nest either in a hollow- 

 tree or on the ground. In the latter case, the nest is usually well hidden 

 in grass or other debris or placed under the sheltering boughs of some 

 bush or tree. The eggs, pale buff in color, usually number about 10 or 12.. 

 Like many other ducks, this one protects and shields its eggs with down 

 plucked from the breast of the female. In late June or early July, the 

 female can be seen leading her little fleet of downy chicks along the 

 shores of the home body of water. These chicks are among the most 

 beautiful of all waterfowl, the dark biscuit brown of their backs con- 

 trasting beautifully with the pure white under parts. 



Fishermen and sportsmen frequently condemn these birds as voracious 

 destroyers of trout and other game fish. When they get into hatchery 

 ponds or into shallow pools where game fish are confined, the mergansers 

 undoubtedly do considerable damage to the fish. At other times they 

 feed largely on trash or slow-moving fish, crustaceans, and other aquatic 

 life. There is at present no evidence to show that this species greatly 

 harms the food or game fish of this State. It is not an abundant bird, 

 although widely distributed. A few are usually to be found on each 

 stream, and it is very questionable whether they do not do more good 

 by eating spawn-eating fish than harm by any incidental destruction of 



