SMEW. HOODED MERGANSER. 215 



The most common of the Merganserinse in its occurrence 

 on the eastern coast and the inland lakes of the island, it has 

 occurred to our notice in a proportion of 3 to 2 of the red- 

 breasted merganser. 



Irregular in its appearance, it sometimes occurs in con- 

 siderable numbers ; and, again, some years may elapse with- 

 out a single specimen being obtained. 



In the winter of 1847 so plentiful were they, that a hawker 

 of wild fowl brought five for sale, three adult birds, and two 

 immature ; and on the same day we observed in the markets 

 three additional immature birds, also an adult male in the 

 possession of Mr. Glennon. As well as could be ascertained 

 from inquiries at the time, all had been obtained inland on 

 the fresh-water lakes, as were also two in our own collection, 

 an adult male captured on the lake at Knockdrin Castle, 

 county of Meath, and a female shot on the Grand Canal at 

 Phibsborough. 



At times observed on the sea-coast, a specimen (at one pe- 

 riod in the possession of W. R. Massey, Esq., of the Pigeon 

 House Fort) was shot in the winter of 1830, which exhibits an 

 appearance seldom observed of the male bird, partly in adult, 

 and partly in immature plumage. 



On the extreme west coast of Ireland the smew has been 

 obtained in some few instances, and forwarded to Dublin for 

 preservation. 



Habitat Northern Europe. 



SPECIES 208 THE HOODED MERGANSER. 



Mergus cucullatus. Linn. 

 Harle couronne. Temm. 



THIS North American species has occurred in two instances 

 in our island, one of which was shot, about the year 1840, at 

 Dingle Bay,* on the coast of Kerry, by Dr. Chute, and the 

 other an immature femalef in the collection of Sir R. Levinge, 

 Bart., Knockdrin Castle, county of Meath, obtained on the 

 lake in the vicinity. 



Yery common in its American distribution in winter, it 

 ranges through the United States, and during spring breeds 

 in the vicinity of Louisville, placing the nest in hollow trees ; 

 but further north, where those are wanting, the ground is 

 resorted to. if 



Habitat North America. 



* Thompson. t Glennon. t Audubon. 



