RED-BREASTED 

 MERGANSER 



.Mergus serrator 



HE Red -breasted Merganser is a resident in Scotland 

 north of the Firths of Forth and Clyde, and breeds on 

 the lochs in most of the northern counties, as well as 

 on the adjoining islands, including the Orkneys, Shetlands, 

 Hebrides, and St. Kilda. In England, however, it is 

 only a winter visitor, though at that season it is widely 

 distributed, and may be met with both inland and on 

 the coast. In Ireland the Merganser is commonest during the winter, when 

 it is distributed along the coast and on the inland lakes; but many remain 

 to breed, especially on the west coast. 



The favourite haunts of the Red -breasted Merganser are the rocky 

 coasts broken up by innumerable little creeks and bays into which the burns 

 run. The west coast of Scotland, with its endless creeks and sea- lochs, is 

 the home of these birds, and their habits may be studied there with great 

 facility. During winter the Merganser is gregarious, frequenting the bays 

 in flocks of varying size; it procures most of its food in the water, and is 

 very fond of frequenting the shallow pools left by the tide, where it feeds 

 with its head under water, poking its bill about among the seaweed growing 

 on the stones. It is an expert diver, and obtains much of its food below the 

 surface. Under water it progresses like the Razorbill, using both its wings 

 and feet, and can pursue its finny prey with great speed. The Merganser 

 always brings the fish to the surface of the water to be swallowed, and raises 

 itself in the water during the process, flapping its wings and stretching up 

 its neck, and generally drinks immediately afterwards. After a spate the 

 Merganser may often be seen at the mouth of some burn preying on the 

 VOL. ii. 2 E 105 



