422 NATATORES. 



about the neck, it seems to approach the Swans ; the patch of 

 white feathers on the neck contrasting with those of dark shade, 

 has the appearance of a cravat. It breeds most abundantly in 

 Labrador and high northern latitudes. In the Fur countries its 

 arrival is anxiously looked for, and hailed with great joy. At 

 Hudson s Bay, three thousand or more are sometimes killed and 

 barreled up in a year. 



The EGYPTIAN GOOSE, Chenalopex, (Gr. a goose or duck, 

 Pliny,) jEgyptiacus, is a beautiful species, which passes over 

 occasionally from Africa into Europe ; it is particularly numer 

 ous in the island of Sicily. The upper part of the plumage is 

 reddish brown ; the under parts are buff, mingled with blackish 

 lines. This Goose is figured on the monuments of the ancient 

 Egyptians, and was regarded by them with veneration ! 



The GOOSANDERS or MERGANSERS, form a sub-family, Mer- 

 ganina, including, according to Prince Bonaparte, two genera, 

 Mergus, (Lat. a diver, from mergo, to dip.) the Smew, and Mer 

 ganser, (Lat. from mergo, to dip, and anser, a goose,) the Goos 

 ander. 



The SMEW or WHITE NUN, Mergus alhellus, (Lat. from albus, 

 white,) is found in the Arctic regions of both Continents; it is 

 migratory in autumn, but especially in winter. Its food consists 

 of small crustaceans, water insects, mollusks, and small fish. 

 The nest is placed on the borders of rivers and lakes, and con 

 tains twelve whitish eggs. The Smew (when old) has upon 

 the head a tufted crest of pure white; the edges of both mandi 

 bles of the beak, have saw-like teeth directed backwards; the 

 point of the upper mandible is curved, and with the horny nail, 

 forms a hook. (Plate IX. fig. 5.) The length of the Smew is fif 

 teen or sixteen inches. 



The GOOSANDER or JACKDAW, Mergus merganser (or Castor,) 

 having also a saw-like and hooked bill, (Plate IX. fig. 5,) builds 

 its nest among rolled pebbles on the banks of waters, or in bushes 

 and hollow trees, and lays twelve or fourteen whitish eggs. 

 The flesh of this and the preceding species, is rank, and by no 

 means in request for the table. Its native abode corresponds 

 with that of the Smew ; it migrates southward on the approach 

 of winter. The very old male has a large and thick tuft on the 

 head; the plumage of the upper parts is deep black; the under 

 parts, which in the Smew are white, are in the Goosander tinged 

 with yellowish rose-color, (changing to white in stuffed speci 

 mens.) The length is twenty-six or twenty-eight inches. 



