HOODED MERGANSER. 275 



white; the black on the back curves handsomely round in two 

 points on the breast, which, with the whole lower parts are 

 pure white; sides under the wings and flanks reddish brown, 

 beautifully crossed with parallel lines of black; tail pointed, 

 consisting of twenty feathers of a sooty brown; legs and feet 

 flesh coloured; claws large and stout. The windpipe has a small 

 labyrinth. 



The female is rather less, the crest smaller and of a light rust 

 or dull ferruginous colour, entirely destitue of the white; the 

 upper half of the neck a dull drab, with semicircles of lighter, 

 the white on the wings is the same as in the male; but the ter- 

 tials are shorter and have less white; the back is blackish brown; 

 the rest of the plumage corresponds very nearly with the male. 



This species is peculiar to America; is said to arrive at Hud- 

 son's Bay about the end of May; builds close to the lakes; the 

 nest is composed of grass lined with feathers from the breast; is 

 said to lay six white eggs. The young are yellow, and fit to fly 

 in July.* 



* HUTCHINS, as quoted by Latham. 





