MERGUS MERGANSER. 



the outer vanes, edged with Mark ; the logs and feet 

 are of a rich orange ; toes, long 1 , middle one somewhat 

 the longest; claws, flesh coloured. The whole plumage 

 is of a silky softness, particularly that ot tin- head and 

 neck, which feels like the most delicate velvet. 



Naturalists represent the feet and legs of this species 

 as of the colour of red sealing wax. This is an error 

 which arose from the circumstance of their having seen 

 their specimens some time after they had been killed. 

 When the bird is alive, these parts are of a beautiful 

 orange, which changes after death to the colour they 

 mention. 



The above description was taken from a fine full 

 plumaged male, which was shot in the vicinity of 

 Philadelphia in the month of January. It was in good 

 condition, and weighed three pounds thirteen ounces 

 avoirdupois.] 



285. MERGUS MERGANSER, LINNJEUS AND WILSOtf. 



FEMALE GOOSANDER. 

 WILSON, PLATE LXVIII. FIG. II. EDINBURGH COLLEGE MUSEUM. 



THIS generally measures an inch or two shorter than 

 the male ; the length of the present specimen was 

 twenty-five inches ; extent, thirty-five inches ; bill, 

 crimson on the sides, black above ; irides, reddish ; 

 crested head and part of the neck, dark brown, lightest 

 on the sides of the neck, where it inclines to a sorrel 

 colour; chin 'and throat, white; the crest shoots out 

 in long radiating flexible stripes ; upper part of the 

 body, tail, and flanks, an ashy slate, tinged with brown ; 

 primaries, black ; middle secondaries, white, forming a 

 large speculum on the wing; greater coverts, black, 

 tipt for half an inch with white ; sides of the breast, 

 from the sorrel-coloured part of the neck downwards, 

 very pale ash, with broad semicircular touches of white ; 

 belly and lower part of the breast, a fine yellowish 

 cream colour a distinguishing trait also in the male ; 

 legs and feet, orange red. 



