590 EEPORT OF STATE GEOLOGIST. 



b 2 . Tarsus marked with a network of lines over its whole surface; meshes 

 slightly larger in front; its length not less than that of middle toe without 

 claw ; sexes alike. 



/ '. Cutting edge of upper mandible nearly 

 straight ; its serrations scarcely visible 

 from side, except near angle of mouth ; 

 head, bill and feet mostly black. 



BRANTA. 27 



>-'. Cutting edge of upper mandible concave 

 or sinuate ; its serrations plainly visible 

 from side for nearly its whole length; 

 bill and feet pale. 



.s 1 . Bill very stout ; its depth at base more 

 than half the length of upper mandible ; 

 color largely white. CHEN. 25 



2 . Bill smaller, more depressed; its depth 

 at base not half the length of upper 

 mandible; color not white. 



ANSER. 26 

 a 2 . Neck as long as or longer than body; lores partly naked. 



Subfamily CYGNINJE SWANS. 

 t 1 . Color white; bill and feet black, in 

 adult ; grayish, head and neck brown- 

 ish ; bill and feet light, in young. 



OLOR. 28 



SUBFAMILY MERGIN^E. MERGANSERS. 

 13. GENUS MERGANSER BRISSON. 



a 1 . Nostril nearer middle of bill than base. M. americanus (Cass.). 25 



" '-'. Nostril near base of bill. M. serrator (Linn.). 26 



25. (129.) Merganser americanus (CASS.). 



American Merganser. 



Synonyms. FISH DUCK, GOOSANDER. 



Nostrils situated near the middle of the upper mandible; frontal 

 feathers extending farther forward than those on lateral base of bill. 

 Adult Male. Head and most of neck, greenish-black; head slightly 

 crested; chest and other lower parts, creamy white or pale salmon-color. 

 Adult Female. Head and neck, reddish (chin and throat white), the 

 occiput with a full crest of lengthened feathers; above, chiefly bluish- 

 gray. 



Male; length, about 27.00; wing, 10.50-11.25; bill, 1.90-2.20; tarsus,, 

 1.90-2.00. Female smaller. 



RANGE. North America generally. Breeds from latitude of Min- 

 nesota and Michigan northward; winters from Kansas, Indiana and 

 Maine southward. 



