408 FEATHERED GAME 



These birds average about four and one-quar- 

 ter pounds weight for the males, the females 

 running from one-half pound to one pound less. 

 In length they vary from twenty-four to twenty- 

 seven inches ; in extent about thirty-five. 



They nest upon the ground or in the hollow of 

 a tree, laying from six to eight eggs. They 

 usually choose the edge of some secluded fresh 

 water pond for their home, but often make their 

 nest a long distance from water if unable to 

 find a suitable place near it. Safety is the 

 prime requisite convenience comes after. 

 They breed anywhere from our northern States 

 into the Arctic regions and are one of the com- 

 monest of the breeding waterfowl on our Maine 

 lakes. They winter in moderate numbers in 

 our coast waters, though the greater bulk of 

 these birds have gone south at this season. 



THE RED-BREASTED MERGANSER. 



(Merganser serrator.) 



Most common of all in New England coast 

 waters is the Red-breasted Merganser, the 

 Shelldrake alongshore, where many gunners 

 know no other species than this bird. He winters 



