BED-BREASTED MERGANSER. 93 



scapulars black. Wing-coverts white. Primaries ash-browo. 

 Lower back and tail ash-grey. Bill blood-red and serrated. 

 Legs and feet orange-red. Length 26 in. Female, much duller, 

 and head and neck reddish brown ; white speculum. Young, 

 much like female. 



Language. Male utters a harsh "karrr"; also a low 

 whistling kind of cry. 



Habits. When swimming it rather reminds one of the 

 Grebes, and is also much like the Cormorant in the way in 

 which it submerges the body. An expert diver, it pursues and 

 captures its finny prey under water, remaining submerged some 

 considerable time. 



Food. Fish exclusively. 



Nest. May. One brood. 



Site. In a hole in a tree-trunk or under rock. 



Materials. Dry grass, weeds and moss, lined with greyish 

 white down. 



Eggs. Eight to thirteen. Creamy white. 



EED-BKEASTED MEEGANSEE (Mergus serrator). 



A common winter visitor on our coast-lines, usually preferring 

 tidal waters. In Scotland, resident and breeding on freshwater 

 lochs. Also breeds in Ireland. 



Observation. Distinguish from last by spotted appearance of 

 lower neck, and rather less white in the whole plumage. 



Plumage. Head, crest, and upper neck dark green ; collar 

 white ; a black line running through same on the nape to back, 

 which is also black ; outer scapulars white ; inner ones black. 

 Eump, flanks, and tail-coverts vermiculated with grey. Specu- 

 lum white, barred with black. Lower neck pale chestnut, 

 streaked with black ; under parts white. Bill red. Legs and 

 feet orange-red. Length 24 in. Female : smaller and duller, 

 somewhat resembling female of last species, but much smaller ; 

 head and neck reddish brown ; distinct black bar on wings. 

 Young, like female. 



Language. Usually very silent. It sometimes utters a harsh 

 kind of " quack." 



Habits. Very similar to the last. 



Food. Fish. 



Nest. May or June. One brood. 



Site. On the ground among heather or other coarse herbage, 

 under rocks, <fec., near water. 



Materials. Heather-sprigs, leaves, and grass, lined with 

 brownish grey down, having rather paler tips and centres. 



Eggs. Six to ten or more. Pale olive or buffish grey. 



