THE MERGANSERS. 237 



The female is about the same size as the male, and 

 has the same peculiar bill and sharp-pointed tail; but 

 differs slightly in the colour of the plumage, the cheeks 

 being buff, and the neck and breast a dull brown and 

 grey; the under parts white, shaded with ash colour. 

 The feet and legs are dusky in both. 



The Smew (Mergellus albellus) is well known in our 

 own country, and in the form of its bill, its general 

 appearance, and habits, may be considered intermediate 

 between the above sub-family and the mergansers, 

 which follow. It is a handsome and beautifully marked 

 bird, although simply black and white. 



It breeds in the far north, and appears in the Gulf 

 of St. Lawrence only in winter. It is a difficult bird to 

 get near, but is of no value except to the naturalist or 

 collector, the flesh being poor and fishy. 



The Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) is 

 also a very handsome bird, but its flesh is very little 

 superior to that of the other. 



This merganser, though an accidental visitor to 

 England, is really a North American bird, breeding in 

 the extreme north of that continent, and migrating to 

 every part of it in winter; appearing rather to prefer 

 inland waters to the sea. It has a beautiful crest of 

 black and white feathers, which it has the power of 

 elevating and depressing at will. The head, neck, and 



