RED-BREASTED MERGANSER. 



the windpipe is very much depressed, and the de- 

 pression consists of about nineteen or twenty rings, 

 which are very broad on the lower part of the tube, 

 which appears like a piece of chain-work, composed 

 of straight bony keels, having between them a series 

 of drum-like membranes: the large lower larynx is 

 dilated in front and below, and forms two bony protu- 

 berances in the hinder part, of which that on the 

 right is largest ; both of them are furnished laterally 

 with a drum-like membrane. 



This species inhabits the same countries with the 

 preceding, appearing in the south of England in 

 winter, but more frequently in the north, and in 

 Scotland, in some of the lochs of which country they 

 are said to breed : the female lays from eight to 

 thirteen eggs, in a nest placed near the edge of the 

 water : the nest is constructed of dry grass lined 

 with down. 



These birds frequent the coasts of America, as well 

 as the interior fresh water lakes of that continent, 

 keeping within the bays and estuaries of rivers : they 

 swim low in the water, and, when wounded in the 

 wing, very dexterously continue to elude the sports- 

 man or his dog, by diving and coming up at a great 

 distance, raising the beak only above water, and dip- 

 ping down again in the greatest silence. Their food 

 consists of small fry and shell-fish. 



