36 ANSERES: Lamellirostral Swimmers 



ANSERES (DUCKS, GEESE, AND SWANS) : The species 

 of this Order recognized as most valuable as human food are 

 those feeding chiefly or exclusively on fresh-water or land 

 vegetation, including, of course, seeds of wild plants and grain. 

 Other species live indifferently on fresh or salt water, feeding 

 largely on shell-fish, etc., and are correspondingly less desirable 

 as food. 



MERGANSER 



(129. Mergus americanus) 24 in. 



Male: In general appearance a large, white Duck with black 

 back and green-black head. Black of back fades to gray on tail; 

 under parts pale creamy; primaries black. 



Female: Wings and back bluish gray, the wing with white 

 patch in middle; neck and head light brown, a long thin crest of 

 same color; throat and chest white. 



Feeds on fish, to catch which the slender, round bill is toothed 

 the whole length. 



RED-BREASTED MERGANSER 



(130. Mergus serrator) 22 in. 



Male: Feathers of head much lengthened, forming a thin, 

 long crest; a strong, rusty breast-band, black-streaked; breast and 

 neck white; closed wing mostly white; back black; sides finely 

 black-and-white-barred. 



Female: Closely similar to female of the preceding, but throat 

 pale rusty or brownish instead of white. 



A remarkably handsome species, noted for its diving ability. 

 Feeds on fish. 



HOODED MERGANSER See Appendix. 



(131. Lophodytes cucullatus) 18 in. 



