RED-BREASTED MERGANSER. 



397 



their fine plumage till after their second autumn moult, 

 and old males from the time they desert the females till 

 their autumn moult begins, " lose the rich glossy greerf'of 

 the head and neck, which degenerates into an obscure 

 brown, and the fine chestnut colour of the breast entirely 

 disappears." Gould. 



