496 Lake Maxinkuckee, Physical and Biological Survey 



12. FISHDUCK; MERGANSER 



MERGUS AMERICANUS Cassin 



The Fishduck, American Merg-anser, or Sawbill, is not com- 

 mon at the lake. Several were seen in a narrow, open strip of 

 water near the Farrar cottage, April 7, 1885. One of these, a fe- 

 male, was killed; it gave the following data: Length 23 inches; 

 wing 10 ; tail 5 ; bill 2^ ; tarsus 1% ; stretch 31 ; weight 2\ pounds. 

 At that time the ice was still on the lake, there being only an open 

 strip around the shore, usually widest at the mouths of the inlet 

 streams. In this open water ducks were rather common, mergan- 

 sers, butterballs, baldpates, and little bluebills being among the 

 species noted. 



According to Mr. S. S. Chadwick, who has observed the water- 

 fowl of this lake for many successive years, the Sawbill is the last 

 to arrive in the fall and the first to leave in the spring. 



In 1900, one or more were noted on each of the following dates : 

 November 2, 3, and 18 ; and December 5. In 1901, on January 2, 

 March 7, and December 6 and 18; and in 1904, on December 15, 

 when one was shot from, an open pool in the ice in which were 

 mergansers, little bluebills, canvasbacks, a horned grebe, a few 

 coots, a pair of hooded mergansers, two golden-eyes, and, perhaps, 

 a few others. 



The stomachs of several examined were all practically empty. 

 It is well known, however, that this duck, as its name indicates, 

 feeds largely on fish. Its flesh is therefore rank and fishy and not 

 esteemed as food. The young birds are not so objectionable. 



The comparative rarity of this magnificent duck at the lake 

 prevents it from doing any appreciable harm to the fishes of these 

 waters and justifies all efl'orts that may be put forth for its pro- 

 tection. 



13. RED-BREASTED MERGANSER 



MERGUS SERRATOR Linnaeus 



The Red-breasted Merganser or Sawbill, is not a common duck 

 at this lake. Our notes contain only half a dozen references to it. 



One or more were seen October 21, 1900 ; several on December 

 5, and again December 6, 1900, when 4 or 5 were killed ; a few on 

 January 2, and one on March 8, 1901 ; and 2, one of which was shot, 

 on November 28, 1904. This example weighed 2 pounds, 2 ounces, 

 and the oesophagal enlargement was packed full of small fishes, 

 chiefly skipjacks, but with a few log perch and a few small 

 minnows. 



