Duck-shooting 193 



the water. The mother is a devoted parent and 

 is often seen with a little one on her back. When 

 danger threatens they scatter and disappear, the 

 old bird keeping close until she can call them to 

 a place of safety. In late August and September 

 they are full-fledged and congregate with other 

 families, forming a respectable flock. When 

 startled, they run along the surface of the water, 

 flapping their wings with much noise and commo- 

 tion, on account of which habit the bird often 

 goes by the name of steamboat. In October and 

 November the American merganser appears 

 along our coast and inland, frequenting the open 

 rivers and lakes, remaining until the last ice hole 

 is closed, under these circumstances keeping well 

 fed and fat. I noticed one winter that among a 

 number of ducks killed in a freeze-up these 

 birds were the only ones in good condition. 

 Their crops were gorged with little eels. We 

 often see them in bays near the mouths of rivers, 

 keeping pretty much their own company and 

 feeding on the schools of small fish abounding in 

 these places, the bird when wounded often eject- 

 ing what it has swallowed. The flight is strong 

 and they are hard to kill, carrying away a heavy 

 charge of shot; if wing broken, diving quickly 

 and swimming a long distance under water. 

 When freshly killed the bright salmon color of 

 the breast, in the male bird, is a striking feature 



