322 THE COMPLETE WILDFOWLER 



In Scotland it is known to nest in a few localities, but on 

 the west coast and in Ireland it is decidedly rare. The nest 

 is placed in a hollow among rocks, or in a tree, and in 

 Sweden and Lapland it makes extensive use of the nest-boxes 

 put up for it and other species by the Lapps. The note 

 is a very harsh "kaar," and when swimming this bird is not 

 unlike a Cormorant in general outline. When wounded it will 

 always attempt to escape by diving. 



The male has the head and neck dark glossy green and 

 purple ; back and scapulars brown, passing to grey on the 

 rump ; wing coverts white ; lower neck and under parts creamy 

 white, tinged with pink in the living bird. Bill and legs red. 

 The female is chestnut on head, greyish on the upper parts 

 and flanks, and huffish white below. She is rather smaller 

 than the male. The young resemble the female. Length 

 about 26 in. ; wing 1 1 in. 



SMEW 



Mergus albellus {LintKBus) 



This species, the smallest and scarcest of the Sawbills, is a 

 rare straggling autumn and winter migrant to these isles, its 

 breeding haunts being near the limit of tree growth through- 

 out Northern Europe. It may be found on inland rivers and 

 lakes, as well as in sheltered bays and estuaries on the coast. 

 Immature examples with a red head are far more numerous than 

 the adults, and old males in full plumage do not often occur. 



This is one of the species that occupies the boxes in Sweden 

 and Lapland, and the discovery of its eggs fifty years ago was 

 due to the energy and perseverance of an Englishman, John 

 Wolley, who, after about four years' search, succeeded in 

 obtaining three eggs together with a sitting bird. 



The adult male is entirely white, except for the mantle and 

 quills, which are jet black. The rump, upper tail-coverts, and 



