64: BIRI > NAMES. [No. 20. 



gander; "a goosey -goosey -gander" sort of name): MERGAN- 

 SER (diver-goose, Latin mergus and anser) : AMERICAN MER- 

 GANSER (distinguishing it from European species, Merganser 

 merganser): DUN-DIVER of Pennant (relating to dun color of 

 female plumage; see No. 31): SPARLING FOWL of Latham 

 (a good name for this fish -eating fowl, "sparling" being an 

 old English name for the smelt): BUFF -BREASTED SHEL- 

 DRAKE:* BUFF -BREASTED MERGANSER: AMERICAN SHEL- 

 DRAKE. 



In Maine at Eastport and Milbridge, and in Massachusetts 

 at Pigeon Cove and Salem, SHELDRAKE, f indiscriminately 

 with No. 21 ; the present species monopolizing said title at 

 Eowley, Mass., on the Niagara Kiver, in the neighborhood of 

 Chicago, at Hennepin and Snachwine, 111., and Morehead, N. C. 



At Ellsworth, Me., and in Massachusetts at North Plymouth, 

 Buzzard's Bay, and "West Barnstable, POND SHELDRAKE (see 

 No. 22). 



At Bath and Kennebunk, Me., and Portsmouth, N. EL, 

 WINTER SHELDRAKE; at Pine Point, Me., GREAT LAKE SHEL- 

 DRAKE; and at West Barnstable, Mass., SWAMP SHELDRAKE 

 (as well as Pond Sheldrake. See No. 22 for name Swamp Shel- 

 drake as used on Long Island). 



At Falmouth, Mass., and in New Jersey at Barnegat and 

 Tuckerton, FRESH-WATER SHELDRAKE; and in latter state, at 

 Pleasantville (Atlantic Co.), Atlantic City, and Somers Point, 

 RIVER SHELDRAKE; and at Pleasantville again, NORTH CARO- 

 LINA SHELDRAKE. It may add interest to note in this con- 

 nection, as well as farther on, that the term " Carolina " is also 



* The name Sheldrake is probably from provincial English sheld, meaning 

 variegated or pied, and drake. 



Yarrell says of the Old World Sheldrake : " I have found the stomach of 

 this species filled with very minute bivalve and univalve mollusca only, as 

 though they had sought no other food ; a predilection which may have given 

 rise to the name of Shell-drake; or it may be so called because it is parti- 

 colored ; and the term Shield-drake may have had its origin in the frequent 

 use made of this bird in Heraldry." 



t See odd use of this name under No. 15. 



