HOODED MERGANSER. 387 



by Mr. Selby, who was informed that other instances of 

 the capture of birds of this species had occurred. 



Since that period, T. C. Eyton, Esq. has obtained a 

 specimen which was killed in the Menai Straits, near 

 Bangor, in the winter of 1830-31 ; Mr. Hoy, of Stoke 

 Nayland, in Suffolk, obtained an adult male as recorded in 

 the Naturalist ; and I have heard of another example that 

 was shot at Bent on Park, the estate of Anthony Ralph 

 Biddulph, Esq. 



Though only an accidental visitor to this country, or 

 even to Europe, the Hooded Merganser is well known in 

 North America, and to the ornithologists of that extensive 

 continent we must refer for an account of the habits of this 

 species. Mr. Audubon writes as follows: "Excepting 

 the Smew, or White Nun, the Hooded Merganser is the 

 handsomest of its family. Its broad and rounded crest of 

 pure white, with an edging of jetty black, and which it closes 

 or spreads out at pleasure, renders the male of this species 

 conspicuous on the waters to which it resorts. The 

 activity of its motions, the rapidity of its flight, and its 

 other habits, contribute to render it a pleasing object to 

 the student of nature, not less than to the sportsman. Its 

 flesh, however, has a fishy taste and odour, although it is 

 relished by some persons. It seems to prefer fresh water, 

 and is by no means very frequent along the sea-coast. 

 Long, narrow, and moderately deep creeks, or small ponds, 

 are more frequented by it than large rivers or lakes. On the 

 waters of the western and southern States, these Mergan- 

 sers are seen to arrive from the north early in October, 

 but, generally, later than many species of Ducks, although 

 sooner than either the Red-breasted Merganser, or the 

 Goosander. At the approach of night, a person standing 

 still on the banks of a river, as the Ohio, first hears the 

 well-known sound of wings whistling through the air ; 



c c 2 



