I III: TWO MERG ^NSERS 199 



breeds from our northern states as far as the Aleutian Islands 

 and western Alaska, where the Aleuts prize it for food above 

 all other ducks. In winter it migrates along our two ocean 

 coasts to southern California ami Florida. It feeds entirely 

 on 6sh, and the flavor of its flesh is rank and disagreeable. 



Nearly all sportsmen admire this duck, and it is much 

 to be regretted thai it is so shy and nervous, and difficult t<> 

 keep alive in captivity. A fine specimen which we cherished 

 for a time in tin- Flying ( ige <>!' tli<' New York Zoological 

 Park, along with many other water-birds of good size, .it 

 first seemed inclined to accepl the situation, ami become ac- 

 climatized; lnit it lived only two months. With several Mer- 

 • gansers together, the result might be mure satisfactory. 



Tin-: Hooded Merganser i> distinctly marked by a 

 striking, black-and-white semicircular cresl of great height, 

 standing stiffly erect, ami jaunty beyond compare among 

 water-fowl. By that crest and the slender Merganser hill 

 any one may know this bird out of ten thousand species, 

 whether seen in New York or New Zealand. It ranges all 

 over North America, wherever there i- water enough to float 

 it. down to Mexico ami Cuba, ami as a result it has been 

 burdened with an appalling collection of name-. It nests 

 in hollow trees, near good fishing-grounds, ami whenever it 

 makes its summer camp near a trout stream, the fry fare 



badly. 



Tin: Geese. Those who have not looked into the sub- 

 ject usually are surprised t<» find what a line collection of 

 iese i- found in North America. The continent i- SO la 

 1 Lo-pkod'jf4 \ ' hi 11 in< ; 



