298 WATER FOWL. 



GENUS MERGANSER 

 (Latin mergus, a diver -f- anser, a goose). 



Merganser, Briss. Orn., vol. vi., 1760, p. 230. Type Mergus 

 merganser, Linn. 



Culmen longer than tarsus; serrations of maxilla and man- 

 dible tooth-like, inclining backward. Bill long, narrow, tip 

 hooked. 



The species of this genus are large birds, the males with 

 iridescent hues on the heads and necks. During the breeding 

 season, when possible, they seek lakes and rivers within the 

 forests and rear the young amid their solitudes. Flesh fishy and 

 unpalatable. 



KEY TO THE SPECIES. 



A. Head and neck greenish black, metallic. 



) GOOSANDER. 



a. No white collar on neck; under parts (_ ,* 

 uniform - I canus.b 



} RED-BREASTED 



b. White collar on lower neck; under parts ( ,,,,,,- .WCWD 



/ MERGANSER. 



not uniform. J M. serrate*. $ 



B. Head and neck tawny brown. 



a. Distance between nostril and nearest \ GOOSANDER. 

 feather at base of bill GREATER than height > M. ameri- 

 of maxilla at base. ) canus. 9 



b. Distance between nostril and nearest \ RED-BREASTED 

 feather at base of bill LESS than height of > MERGANSER. 

 maxilla at base. ) M. serrator. $ 



GENUS LOPHODYTES 

 (Greek X6<oj, lophos, a crest -f- itfnjs, dutes, a diver). 



Lophodytes, Reichenb. Syst. Av., 1852, pi. ix. Type Merg us 

 citcullatus, Linn. 



Culmen longer than tarsus. Serrations of bill blunt, not 

 inclined backward. 



Only one species of this genus is known, confined to North 



