478 THE GOOSANDER. 



from five to seven eggs, of a pale green colour, and some- 

 what smaller in size than those of a barn-door fowl. 



When incubation commences, the males, which are not 

 believed to pair until their second or third year, abandon 

 their mates, and, as with the eider and some other species 

 of water-fowl, get together in flocks. 



So soon as the young can fly, the mother conducts them 

 to their native element, the sea ; and in the early part of 

 August she may be seen with the brood in the bays and 

 fjords of the more northern parts of the Norwegian coast. 

 Shortly afterwards the several families flock, and take their 

 flight gradually to the southward ; and in September and 

 October they visited our Skargard. 



When in salt water, the hareld feeds on marine insects, 

 bivalve mollusks and crustaceans, and whilst in the inte- 

 rior, during the breeding season, chiefly on aquatic plants. 

 It would appear, however, to eat the latter from necessity 

 rather than choice, for on its return to the sea in the 

 autumn, it is usually in very poor condition. 



The feathers of the hareld are much prized, and the down 

 is held next in estimation to that of the eider. The flesh, 

 though somewhat fishy, may, by good management, be 

 rendered very palatable. The better plan is to skin and 

 scrape away the fat, then soak the bird in water or, if in 

 milk, all the better for a day or more, and afterwards pitch- 

 cock, and roast it. 



The Goosander (Stor-Skrake, Sw. ; Mergus Merganser, 

 Linn.) was pretty common during the summer months in 

 the vicinity of Ronnum, where, indeed, a few bred. It 

 was also found, though sparingly, on the neighbouring 

 coast, but chiefly during winter and spring. This bird is 



