64 ALLEN'S NATURALIST'S LIBRARY. 



good swimmer and diver, and in many of its actions resembles 

 a Cormorant, especially in the way in which it rises in the 

 water and " dips " when diving, and also in the habit of bring, 

 ing the fish to the surface in order to swallow it. Its flight is 

 strong and powerful, and the rapid motion of the wings pro- 

 duces a distinct whistling noise. Its food consists chiefly of 

 fish, but it also eats Crustacea and shell-fish. In winter the 

 Mergansers assemble in parties, and even in the breeding- 

 season several nests are found close together. 



Nest. Always placed in a sheltered situation and well con- 

 cealed. Mr. Seebohm truly says that it likes to make its 

 nest on an island wherever it is possible, and only breeds on 

 the mainland in secluded districts. It prefers shelter of 

 some kind, such as that of a large rock, or even rabbit- 

 burrows or crevices in walls, as observed by Saxby in Shet- 

 land. The latter also says that a favourite place is in a hollow 

 at the foot of a dry bank, where it is concealed by the over- 

 hanging herbage. The nest itself is a hollow in the ground, 

 lined with a little grass, dead leaves, or heather ; but some- 

 times the down from the bird's body constitutes the only 

 lining. Mr. Robert Read sends me the following note : " The 

 nest of the Red-breasted Merganser is nearly always placed 

 on a rocky island with heather or wood-rush (L. sylratica) 

 growing among the boulders or on the shallow soil. The 

 nest is usually placed between the boulders, or under a small 

 tree, but sometimes in the heather in the open. I have twice 

 found the nast under the overhanging bough of a spruce-fir 

 close to the water's edge, the nest simply consisting of a 

 hollow scraped amongst the fallen fir-needles, and lined with 

 smoky-coloured down. On one nest, containing ten eggs, the 

 old bird sat so closely that I was able to focus her with my 

 camera, though she flew off before the picture was taken. 

 The eggs in this case were only very slightly incubated. 



. From six to nine in number, but sometimes as many 

 as ten, or even twelve ; of an olive stone-colour to creamy-buff. 

 Axis, 2-45-2-65 inches; diam., 17-1-8. 



Down. Greyish-brown, with an " eye " of dull white and 

 hoary filamentous tips. 



