384 NATATORES. MERGUS. MERGANSER. 



winter it migrates southwards, and is then dispersed along 

 the coasts, and upon the lakes and rivers of the United 

 States, where WILSON describes it as of frequent occurrence, 

 and as possessing similar habits to those of the Red-breasted 

 Merganser. In this species the bill is short, and intermediate 

 in form between that of the Smew and of the two foregoing 

 birds. The teeth are also different, for, instead of being 

 conical and sharp-pointed, they are broad and even at the 

 top, with sharp edges, and are obliquely set in the mandibles. 

 The palate, also, in the place of acute longitudinal ridges, 

 has several transverse furrows. With its tracheal anatomy 

 we have but little acquaintance, as WILSON merely states 

 that it has a small labyrinth ; and the part is not adverted to 

 by Dr RICHARDSON, or Mr SWAINSON. 



PLATE 58** represents the above-mentioned specimen, of 



which the description is as follows. 



General Length nearly eighteen inches. Bill, from the forehead to 

 descrip. the tip, about one inch and a half long ; rather slender, 



p j e and not so thick at the base as in the Smew ; the serra- 



tures broad, with sharp edges. The colour of the bill 

 appears to have been orange at the base, and darker 

 towards the tip. Chin greyish-white, speckled with pale 

 broccoli-brown. Crown of the head inclining to liver- 

 brown ; the occipital crest (which is large and semicir- 

 cular) passing into pale reddish-brown. Face, cheeks, 

 and neck, pale broccoli-brown, or mouse colour. Breast 

 and sides of the lower part of neck broccoli-brown, deep- 

 ly margined with pearl-grey. Upper parts of the body 

 brownish-black ; the feathers upon the mantle and sca- 

 pulars being margined with obscure greyish -brown. 

 Outer edges of the exterior webs of the secondaries 

 white, forming a small speculum in the middle of the 

 wing. Under plumage white. The sides and flanks 

 broccoli-brown, with paler margins. Tail composed of 

 fourteen feathers, deep clove-brown, and reaching near- 



5 



