216 MERG ANSERINE. 



SPECIES 209 THE RED-BREASTED MERGANSER. 



Mergus serrator. Linn. 



Harle huppe. Temm. 



Sawbill Widgeon. Bardrake. 



THIS elegantly marked species, attractive by the rich ver- 

 million of the bill and feet, is a resident during all seasons in 

 our island, but receives considerable additions during winter, 

 forced by the rigours of northern latitudes to seek shelter and 

 sustenance upon our shores. Widely distributed over the 

 island, it has occurred to our notice in Dublin Bay, and to 

 that of Mr. Glennon on the extreme west coast, whilst they 

 occur equally plentifully north and south of the island. Ap- 

 pearing in very limited numbers, it frequents the adjacent 

 coasts more than the vicinity of our own bay. Being scattered 

 sparingly during winter along the shore between Howth and 

 Lusk, and on the south side between Bray and Kingstown, 

 where it attracts attention by its form and plumage, and is 

 well known upon these coasts by the name of sawbilled 

 widgeon. 



On the authority of an ornithological friend, a flock, con- 

 sisting of fifteen of these birds, was observed during summer 

 frequenting daily a small cove on the Galway coast, and from 

 inquiries they were believed to nidify on some of the lakes 

 in the neighbourhood, as they were observed morning and 

 evening flying in a " string" or line to and from the direction 

 of the fresh- water lakes. Described by our informant as pre- 

 senting an exceedingly beautiful appearance whilst feeding 

 on the water, swimming gracefully, and diving with the 

 greatest rapidity over a sandy shoal where sand-eels were 

 known to frequent in abundance, their appearance was en- 

 hanced by flocks of " jourougs" (common terns), all screaming 

 the incessant call peculiar to the terns whilst feeding, and 

 each instant some of the flock flashing in the air, and disap- 

 pearing under the water in the midst of the mergansers. To 

 the fishermen in the vicinity they were well known by their 

 familiar name of sawbills. 



Indigenous. 



SPECIES 210 THE GOOSANDER. 



Mergus merganser. Linn. 

 Harle grand. Temm. 



Dun Diver. 



THE GOOSANDER, the rarest of our three mergansers, is, as 

 the smew, only a winter visitant, but occurs in much more 



