110 MERGANSERS. 



its alar extent is about two feet eight inches ; it is whitish, with 

 the front, and sides of the crown, belly, and tail, black. The 

 female, which is smaller, is gray, speckled brown. Clothed in a 

 thick fur, the Eiders brave the rigours of the coldest countries, 

 and advance as far as Spitzbergen. The down which they pluck 

 from the breast and belly to line their nest, is sought for with a 

 great deal of pains in those countries where these birds are 

 common : it is the softest, the lightest, the warmest, and most 

 elastic of all downs, that which is plucked from the dead bird is 

 of inferior quality. 



40. The genus of MERGANSERS, Mergiis, comprises those 

 Palmipede Lamellirostres that have a moderate or long, straight, 

 slender beak, in the form of an elongated and almost cylindrical 

 cone, wide at the base, and the point of the upper mandible is 

 very much curved and hooked. The edges of both mandibles 

 are serrated, and the teeth are directed backwards, (Plate 6, 

 fig. 7.); the nostrils are about the middle of the beak; the feet 

 are short, and the toes are entirely palmate ; the posterior toe is 

 free, and has a border. These birds swim perfectly, often having 

 only their head above water, and they dive still better ; their 

 flight is rapid and sustained, but from the posterior position of 

 their feet, they are scarcely capable of walking, tottering from 

 side to side with the utmost embarrassment. In other respects 

 they resemble Ducks. They dwell habitually in cold countries, 

 and are only seen commonly in temperate climates on the 

 approach of winter. Of the five species known, one is peculiar 

 to America, the Hooded Merganser, Mergus cucullatus, and 

 all are found on this continent, 



We next proceed to study the REPTILES, which form the THIRD 

 CLASS OP THE BRANCH OP VERTEBRATA. 



40. What are the characters of the Mergansers ? 



MfD OP THE THIRD BOOK OF NATURAL BISTORT. 



