GOOSANDEE 151 



AYERAGE MEASUREMENTS. 



TOTAL LENGTH 21 in. 



WING ... ... 9'5 



BEAK T5 ,, 



TARSOMETATAKSUS ... ... 1-5 



EGG ... 2-3 x 1'6 in. 



GOOSANDER. Mergus merganser (Linnaeus). 



Coloured Figures. Gould, 'Birds of Great Britain,' vol. v, pi. 

 34 ; Dresser, Birds of Europe,' vol. vi, pi. 452 ; Lilford, 

 * Coloured Figures,' vol. vii, pi. 58 ; Booth, ' Eough Notes,' 

 vol. iii, pis. 18, 19. 



In this and the succeeding species the beak is long, 

 narrow, strongly toothed, and hooked at the extremity. 

 Hence the popular name of ' Saw-Bill ' as applied to the 

 Mergansers collectively. Though resident in parts of the 

 Highlands of Scotland, the Goosander is better known as 

 a winter-visitant to British waters, preferring the shelter 

 of estuaries, harbours, and fresh-water lakes, to the open 

 sea. It is not uncommon on the eastern coasts of England 

 and Scotland, but is rare on the western and southern sides. 

 In Ireland, it is of irregular occurrence, but with the 

 onset of severe weather 1 often appears in small numbers 

 on our lakes, rivers, creeks, and harbours. It seldom 

 arrives before the end of November, and is most plentiful 

 in January. Large flocks *are not met with, but parties 

 consisting of from three to six may usually be seen. 

 The male in mature plumage is very handsome, but 

 is of rarer occurrence than the immature or female. 

 When in company with the Bed-breasted Merganser, the 

 Goosander may be identified by its superior size, and by the 

 greater amount of white in the plumage of the neck and 

 breast. 



Food. This species is almost entirely piscivorous, and 

 is not only capable of descending to a great depth under 

 water, but of travelling at a great speed in pursuit of fish. 



1 In the severe winter of 1881, Goosanders were obtained in many 

 parts of Ireland (Payne-Gallwey, 'Fowler in Ireland'). 



