RED-BREASTED MERGANSER 



RED-BREASTED GOOSANDER. 



PLATE CC. FIGURE II. 



Mergus serrator, . . . PENNANT. MONTAGU. 



THE Red-breasted Merganser breeds in Scotland and 

 North Ireland, but is only a winter visitor to England. 

 The places chosen for nesting are usually in the neighbour- 

 hood of lakes and rivers, among reeds, rushes, heather, or 

 brushwood. 



These birds build preferably on small islands in lakes, 

 whether of fresh or salt water, preferring such as have a growth 

 of wood, the nest being placed a few yards from the edge, 

 at the foot of a tree, or under the shelter of brushwood, in 

 the midst of fern, grass, nettles, or other wild vegetation. 

 Also in other situations, as among broken lava in Iceland, or 

 in a hollow on the bare ground. It has been known in a 

 bleak and unsheltered situation, on an island in the sea, at 

 some distance from the mainland. The materials of its com- 

 position are moss, flags, grass, small roots, and feathers, placed 

 carelessly together, and intermixed with the down of the bird, 

 added to, it appears, as incubation advances. 



The eggs are from six to nine in number, and of a drab 

 or brownish fawn-colour. As soon as the females begin to 



