212 



KEY TO THE WATER BIRDS OF FEORIDA. 



ORDER ANSERES. 



Lamellirostral Swimmers. 



Family ANATID.E. Ducks, Geese, and Swans. 

 Subfamily MERGIN.^. Mergansers. 



Fish=eating ducks having narrow bills with tooth=like serrations on edges. 

 Genus MERGANSER Brisson. 



f I 



Merganser americanus (male). 



Merganser americanus (female). 



MERGANSER AMERICANUS (Cass.). 

 American Merganser. 



Adult male : Bill red, long and narrow, with tooth-like serrations; head and neck greenish 

 black; under parts creamy white tinged with salmon color ; tail gray ; feet red. 

 ■ Length, 26.50; Wing, 11 ; Tarsus. 2 ; Bill. 2.10. 



Adult female : Upper throat white ; breast and head rufous brown : belly white : speculum 

 white ; feet orange. 



Length, 24.50; Wing. 9.75: Tarsus, 1.90: Bill, 2. 



The distance from the nostril to the tip of the bill is less than 1.50 inches in this species, and 

 the female may be distinguished from the next species, viz., Red-breasted Merganser, by this 



