SUBFAMILY MERGING. 299 



America, the beautiful Hooded Merganser, noted for the ex- 

 pansive crest of black and white exhibited by the male, and 

 from which it takes its name. 



GENUS M ERG US 

 (Latin niergus, a diver). 



Mergus, Linn. Syst. Nat., vol. i., 1766, p. 207. Type Mergus 

 albellus, Linn. 



Culmen shorter than tarsus. 



A single species is included in this genus, a native of the Old 

 World, of doubtful occurrence in North America, and popularly 

 known as the Smew. It has a very attractive plumage of black 

 and white. 



