GOOSANDER 



GREEN-HEADED GOOSANDER DUN DIVER. 

 PLATE CC. FIGURE III. 



Mergus merganser, . . . 



Mergus castor, ..... MACGILLIVRAY. 



TH E Goosander breeds sparingly in the north of Scotland. 

 It builds on small islands in fresh-water lochs in the 

 neighbourhood of the sea, and near the water's edge. 



The nest, which is placed under the cover of bushes, in 

 long grass, among stones, or in the hollow of the stump of 

 a decayed tree, is large altogether, being raised to a height 

 of seven or eight inches, on a mass of dead weeds, but the 

 inner and more finished part is only about seven inches and 

 a half across, and four in depth. It is composed of dry grass 

 and small roots, rather neatly twined together, and lined with 

 the down of the bird. 



It breeds, says Dresser, late in April or early in May, 

 and makes its nest near water, either on the ground or in a 

 hollow of a tree, frequently depositing its eggs in the nest- 

 boxes hung up by the peasants in the north of Scandinavia 

 or Russia. 



The eggs, of a long oval shape, are from eight to twelve 

 in number, or more, though rarely ; if removed from the 



VOL. III. 113 P 



