JAN., 1909. BIRDS OF ILLINOIS AND WISCONSIN CORY. 



^0H^^ Aduli female: Head and 



m*& ^^^ neck, brownish, showing a 



ft jfttf-: slight crest, but not nearly as 



^^BtBte $ JE ^- l ar g e as in the male; under 



*5^5H| wfeff*'* ^MBteb parts, white. 



JPSML Length, 18.50; wing, 7.75; 



j^P t .-j& tarsus, 1.30; bill, 1.50. 



- ^^Is Q The young bird resembles 



the female, but has no crest. 



Length, 18.50; wing, 7.70; tarsus, 1.25; bill, 1.50. 

 The Hooded Merganser is an abundant migrant and a not un- 

 common summer resident in both Illinois and Wisconsin. It fre- 

 quents the ponds and streams during the breeding season and 

 builds its nest in a hollow tree near water. The eggs are 7 to 10, 

 buff white, and measure about 2.05 x 1.75 inches. Its food consists 

 of roots, seeds, small fish, and occasionally insects. The young are 

 taken from the nest in the bill of the mother. Nidification begins in 

 May. 



"Very abundant migrant; common winter resident upon Lake 

 Michigan; breeds sparingly throughout the state." (Nelson, Birds 

 N. E. 111., 1876, p. 44.) "Very common. * * * * Breeds sparingly 

 in suitable localities." (Kumlien and Hollister, Birds Wisconsin,. 

 1903, p. 17.) 



Subfamily ANATIN^. River and Pond Ducks. 



These ducks, while often found in numbers on salt water, seem to 

 prefer (with few exceptions) the lakes, rivers, and ponds. The food 

 consists of mollusks, small crustaceans, fish, and insects, as well as the 

 roots of aquatic plants and seeds. The members of this subfamily 

 have the bill broad (not narrow as in the Mergansers ) , and no flap 

 or web on the hind toe. 



