256 BRITISH BIRDS 



navia and north of the arctic circle the goosander affects rivers and 

 inland lakes, but is also found on the sea-coast. But whether on 

 sea or lake, the water is its element ; and being somewhat grebe- 

 like in form, with the legs placed very far back, it sits erect, and 

 moves with difficulty on land. On the water it submerges its body 

 when swimming like the cormorant, and, like that bird, pre\s on 

 fish, pursuing and capturing them under water. 



The goosander has a habit very singular in a bird of its conform- 

 ation and marine habits during the greater part of the year : it 

 breeds in the hollow trunk of a tree. Seebohm relates that the 

 Finns take advantage of this habit, and of the goosander's readiness 

 to make use of an artificial substitute for the hollow trunk, by 

 fastening hollow boxes, with a trapdoor behind, to the trees. The 

 peasant robs the nest daily until a score or more eggs have been 

 taken ; the bird is then allowed to keep and hatch any more that 

 may be laid, so that the following year's harvest may not be spoilt. 

 He adds that if there is no hollow tree, and no boxes are provided, 

 the nest is made in a hole under a rock, and that the bird has been 

 known to breed in an old nest of a crow or bird of prey in a tree. 

 When the nest is at a distance from the ground the parent bird 

 removes her young in her beak, carrying them down one by one, 

 then leading them to the water. The nest is made of weeds and 

 moss, and a quantity of down from the bird is added. Eight to 

 twelve eggs are laid, smooth-shelled, and creamy white in colour. 



The call of the goosander is a low whistling cry. 



Red-breasted Merganser. 

 Mergus senator. 



Bill and irides red ; head, including crest and upper neck, dark 

 glossy green ; below, a white collar, divided on the nape by a narrow 

 black line running to the back, which is also black ; the long fal- 

 cated inner scapulars black, the outer ones white ; speculum white 

 barred with black ; rump, flanks, and tail-coverts vermiculated with 

 grey ; lower neck pale chestnut streaked with black, on each side 

 a conspicuous tuft of white feathers edged with black ; under parts 

 white ; legs and feet reddish orange. Length, twenty-four inches. 

 The female has the head and neck reddish brown, and is less richly 

 coloured than the male, and much smaller. 



