HOODED MERGANSER. 



Mergus cucullatus, SELBY. JENTNS EYTON 



LATHAM. GOULD. TEMMINCK. 



Merqus A Diver. Cucullatus Hooded. 



Tins is another very neat species. It belongs to North 

 America, coming southwards from Hudson's Bay to the United 

 States and Mexico, but has only occurred in Europe as a 

 rare and occasional straggler. It has been observed in France. 



It is not un frequent along the coast, but prefers inland waters 

 and smaller creeks or ponds to those which are larger. 



In this country one of these birds was obtained near 

 Yarmouth, Norfolk, in the winter of 1829. One in Suffolk; 

 one at Benton Park, the seat of Anthony Ralph Biddulph, 

 Esq.; and one near Bangor, in Wales, in the winter of 

 1830-31. 



Two specimens have been obtained in Ireland. 



They arrive from the north in October, and go farther south 

 according to the weather of the season. They make their 

 retrograde movement from the beginning of March to the 

 middle of May. They migrate in small flocks without any 

 order. 



The mother is very attentive to her young the male leaving 

 her as soon as she begins to sit. These birds generally go 

 in small flocks of from five or six to ten. They are, Audubon 

 says, eaten by some persons, but this qualified mode of 

 expression leads to the opinion that they do not by their innate 

 excellence contribute much to 'la haute cuisine.' 



They are extremely quick in flight, active in their movements, 

 and most expert divers. 



They feed on snails, tadpoles, arid insects. 

 VOL. vii. H 



