THE SMEW. 483 



from eight to fifteen eggs, which, though smaller, are of 

 a somewhat similar shape and colour to those of the 

 goosander. In length they are two inches six lines; and 

 in thickness one inch seven lines. Whilst the female is 

 sitting, the male remains in the vicinity of the nest ; but 

 when the young are hatched, he deserts her and leaves her to 

 take care of the brood. 



The Smew (Sal-Skrake, Sw. ; M. albellus, Linn.). 

 Though this bird was not noticed by ourselves, it is not 

 very uncommon, according to M. von Wright, in the neigh- 

 bouring Skargard, more especially during severe winters. A 

 fine male, indeed, was shot two years ago near to Gothen- 

 burg, and is now preserved in the museum at that town. 

 It is a very scarce bird in Scandinavia, and seldom seen, 

 excepting on the eastern coast of Sweden, where, Ekstrom 

 tells us, it appears in company with the golden-eye. Both 

 M. von Wright and M. Malm, when in northern Lapland, 

 were informed that it was at times found in that country, 

 and bred there; but it never came under their observation. 

 It is somewhat rare in Denmark, less so, however, during the 

 spring than in the winter time. Its proper home is supposed 

 to be the northern portions of Russia and Siberia. Migrates. 



The smew is said to make its nest near to the shores of 

 lakes and rivers, and to lay from eight to twelve greyish- 

 white eggs. 



It is asserted and if true, the circumstance is curious 

 that the smew has been known to pair with the golden- 

 eye. Eimbeck, in " Isis," 1831, speaks of a hybrid, the 

 produce of this connection, which was shot in Brunswick 

 in the spring of 1825, and which he designates the 

 Mergus anatarius. 



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