HOODED MERGANSER 

 131. Lophodytes cucullatus. 17 in. 



Bill short compared to those of other mergansers, and 

 black. It is not apt to be mistaken for any other duck, 

 because of its small size and the large crest with which 

 both sexes are adorned, that of the male being black 

 with a large, white patch, and that of the female plain 

 brown. 



The male has the power of raising or lowering his 

 crest; when excited he will at times repeatedly open 

 and shut it like a fan. When at a distance on the 

 water, the male might possibly be mistaken for the 

 Buffle-head, as that species also has white on the head, 

 but its back also is largely white. Both male and 

 female have yellow eyes. 



Notes. Low, muttered croakings. 



Nest. In holes of trees on the banks of, or near, 

 streams or lakes. The bottom of the cavity is lined 

 with grasses and down, and on this they lay 8 to 12 

 grayish white eggs (2.15x1.70); May, June. 



Range. Breeds locally throughout the U. S., but most 

 abundantly north of our borders; winters in the South. 



