DIVER SHOOTING. 265 



lateen-sail, and proceeded to look for these same five unapproachable 

 mergansers, which I discovered after a short search, and bore down 

 towards them. Having first cocked my punt-gun, which was 

 charged with one of Ely's patent cartridges, I placed myself flat 

 upon my chest on the floor of the punt, using the greatest pre- 

 caution not to move limb or feature above the gunnel ; and so 

 well did my plan succeed, that in a short time I found myself within 

 range ; the birds sitting well for a shot, I instantly sent the 

 charge after them, and stopped all five ; three of which were killed 

 outright, and the other two so severely wounded that they made only 

 feeble efforts to dive, and were easily secured. They were two cocks 

 and three hens ; the cock-birds in beautiful plumage, with their 

 graceful topples in perfect order. I have two pairs of these birds 

 the result of the shot above recorded stuffed, and preserved in glass 

 cases.* 



In the summer season, the male bird loses his beautiful plumage, 

 and approaches in colour to that of the female. 



The call-note of this bird is harsh, and sounds like " Kerr ! kerr ! " 



THE HOODED MERGANSER. 



[Mergus cucullatus.~] 



This is also a bird of beautiful plumage, not unfrequently met 

 with on the eastern coast. It is of similar habits to the last species, 

 and gifted with similar powers of catching and holding its slippery 

 prey. It is a most expert diver, and would seem almost to defy 

 capture when only winged, if there be weeds at the bottom of the 

 water, or any such temporary resort. 



The hooded merganser prefers inland waters to the open coast ; 

 indeed, it is very seldom seen on the sea-coast, but frequently in both 

 salt and fresh-water rivers, ponds, and pools. 



Its power of flight is very great ; it can rise up from the water 

 in a perpendicular line, when suddenly alarmed, thus puzzling 

 young sportsmen to knock it down. When flying straight off, it 

 proceeds with astonishing rapidity. 



* Lubbock mentions the circumstance of a red-breasted merganser being once 

 killed very near the city of Norwich, and adds : " This was near Surlingham ; and I 

 was present when it was shot by one of the sons of Parker, who kept the ferry- 

 house. Upon shaking the bird, five roach dropped from its throat, large enough to 

 be used as baits for pike. They seemed all to have been taken in the space of a few 

 minutes : all their brightness remained on the scales." Lubboctis Fauna, of 

 Norfolk. 



M M 



