AMERICAN MERGANSER. 247 



surface of the water before their pursuers, and generally 

 easily outstrip a boat, leaving it far behind. But if cor- 

 nered in any way, by being forced into a narrow bay, or 

 brought close to th'e shore, they will then dive and remain 

 out of sight for a considerable period, coming in view 

 again long distances from where they disappeared. It is 

 no uncommon sight to witness the female swimming 

 quietly along with most of her family snugly and com- 

 fortably settled upon her back. The little ones becoming 

 tired, the mother sinks her body until her back is on a 

 level with the surface, when the young swim or clamber 

 on to it, and she rises, lifting them out of the water. Oc- 

 casionally the whole family will settle themselves upon a 

 sand bar in the middle of the river or lake, or on a 

 gravelly beach near the bank, and preen their feathers 

 and sun themselves; but at the least alarm they imme- 

 diately take to the water and move rapidly away, for in 

 disposition they are very wild birds. 



The food is exclusively fish, which are pursued and 

 seized under water, and immense numbers are destroyed 

 by this species. The Goosander is tenacious of life, and 

 requires large shot to bring it down, and frequently, after 

 falling, it recovers itself and effects its escape. It is a 

 handsome bird, and in life the under part of the body is 

 suffused with an exquisite roseate tinge or glow, that 

 fades rapidly after death. 



MERGANSER AMERICANUS. 



Geographical Distribution. Throughout North America, 

 breeding in the United States, and in the northwest. 



Male. Head and neck, shining blackish green, crest on 

 occiput. Upper parts, black; rump and upper tail coverts, ash 

 gray. Primaries and secondaries, black; rest of wing, mostly 

 white, with a black bar crossing it, formed by the bases of 



