OF THE BEIT1SH ISLANDS. 445 



among the birds breeding in Scotland and the north-west of Ireland, many of the 

 former straying to English waters. Although common enough in many com- 

 paratively inland districts, I should say that the favourite haunts of this species 

 are on the coast, and that it is far more partial to marine localities than the 

 preceding species. It loves a wild, rocky coast full of secluded bays and lochs 

 and fiords, and studded with islands, and may frequently be observed where 

 streams and rivers flow into the sea or loch. During winter it is gregarious, 

 and flocks of varying size may then be met with at sea, or during rough weather, 

 congregated in the sheltered bays and fiords. A long-continued spell of rough 

 weather on the coast often drives this bird to inland waters and exceptional 

 haunts. By the end of March most of these flocks are dispersed and the birds 

 are in pairs at their usual breeding places. It is a shy and wary species, but 

 owing to the rough nature of the banks of its favourite waters it may be easily 

 stalked and watched. I know of few prettier sights than a pair of these 

 Mergansers swimming all unsuspecting of danger in some quiet sea-loch. They 

 swim side by side in the deep water close in shore, and from time to time dive 

 and reappear some distance farther on. Then, perchance, they paddle in the 

 shallows, or stand upon a rock an inch or two below the surface and preen their 

 plumage, standing very upright, like a Cormorant or a Diver. In the pairing 

 season I have often witnessed the aquatic gambols of these birds, the drake 

 chasing the duck through the water or diving after her and churning the calm 

 sea into bubbles and foam for a considerable area. The Merganser feeds prin- 

 cipally by day, and will fly with great regularity to certain spots, timing its 

 arrival to a nicety just when the rocks are beginning to be exposed by the 

 ebbing tide, and remaining as long as the deep pools, in which many fish are 

 stranded, remain isolated. It flies almost invariably in spring and early 

 summer in pairs, sometimes one bird several yards behind the other, but always 

 in company. The flight of this species is rapid and straightforward, the wings, 

 which are beaten very quickly, making a whistling sound. It rises from the 

 water in a rather laboured manner, often flapping along the surface for several 

 yards before getting well on the wing ; but during a high wind I have noticed it 

 start up from the sea almost at once. It swims well, but sits low in the water, 

 and dives head first like a Cormorant, descending to considerable depths, and 

 often remaining under the surface for a minute or more. The note of this bird 

 is aptly described by Naumann as a guttural kurr, uttered most frequently during 

 flight. The food of the Red-breasted Merganser consists largely of fish, but 

 crustaceans and small crabs are also eaten ; and I have known this bird feed on 

 limpets and whelks which the Oystercatchers had only partly devoured. This 

 food is mostly obtained by diving, and it will be remarked that each capture is 

 almost invariably brought to the surface to be eaten, the bird drinking and often 

 rising three parts out of the water and flapping its wings after doing so. The 

 flesh of this bird is fishy in taste and unpalatable. Be this as it may, I knew an 



