SMEW. 175 



is very limited, and with one exception they are 

 natives of northern or temperate countries. 



GEN. MERGUS, Linnccus. Generic characters. 

 Bill long, narrow, tapering to the point, edges 

 with strong serratures pointing backwards, nail 

 strong, hooked ; nostrils basal, lateral, oblong, 

 pervious ; wings of mean length, accuminated, 

 first and second quills nearly equal ; legs placed 

 behind, tarsi short, feet ample, hallux lobed. 



Types. M. merganser, albellus, &c. Europe, 

 North and South America, Asia, Japan. 



Note. Maritime, except when breeding; form 

 rather elongated, but heavy ; plumage pied ; 

 wings slightly tuberculated. 



In the species we shall first describe, though 

 not considered generically typical, we see a resem- 

 blance to some forms of the ducks, particularly that of 

 the Garrots. 



SMEW, OR WHITE NUN. MERGTJS ALBELLUS. 

 Mergus albellus of authors. Harle piette, Temm. 

 Smew, Nun, or White-headed Merganser of British 

 authors. The Smew, with the exception of the spe- 

 cies more properly American, is perhaps our rarest 

 British Goosander. It is occasionally in winter 

 brought to the English markets, and Mr. Yarrell 

 says " it is well known on the east, south, and 

 west coasts." Northward it becomes less frequent, 

 and in Scotland it can only stand as an occasional 



