BIRDS OF INDIANA. 591 



Nest, in holes in trees and cliffs. Eggs, 6-10; creamy buff; 2.65 by 

 1.75. 



Common migrant and winter resident. They vary in numbers with 

 the winters. The more open the winter the greater the number. Even 

 in the coldest winters they may be found where the water is not 

 frozen. On Lake Michigan it is one of the commonest ducks during 

 the winter months. At Miller's, Ind., they were common Dec. 17, 

 1895. Jan. 14, 1897, four were seen (J. G. Parker, Jr.). la 1891, 

 Feb. 14 and 15, there were a few flocks and pairs seen at English 

 Lake, Ind. On Feb. 12 some 200 were seen, and five were shot. They 

 were about more or less all winter. February 27 and 28, 1892, there 

 were many flocks on the river (Kankakee). Several were shot. They 

 were observed during the winter whenever they could find open water. 

 (Euthven Deane.) 



The winter of 1889-90 they remained on the Whitewater all winter 

 and were noticed commonly from Feb. 11 on. The winter of 1896-7 

 they were found at Brookville, Dec. 6, and, from reports, were seen off 

 and on all winter. 



In the early spring this is the most common duck upon the creeks 

 and smaller streams. They increase in numbers noticeably in Feb- 

 ruary or March, and, as the weather becomes warmer, begin to pass 

 on north, usually the middle of March. Most have gone by the middle 

 or last of April. Mr. Jesse Earlle notes one at Greencastle, May 7, 

 1892, an unusually late date for southern Indiana, Occasionally some 

 may spend the summer among our northern lakes, but I do not know 

 that they breed with us. They breed, however, in northern Michigan, 

 and from that latitude northward throughout Manitoba and adjacent 

 parts of Canada. It is rare on Alaskan coasts. In Manitoba, Mr. E. 

 E. Thompson says they frequent only running water. This duck feeds 

 almost, if not altogether, on fish; therefore its flesh is fishy and unpala- 

 table. In the fall they return to us in October and November, but are 

 not nearly so common or so noticeable as in the spring. 



26. (130.) Merganser serrator (LINN.). 



Bed-breasted Merganser. 



Nostrils situated near the base of the maxilla; feathers on lateral 

 base of bill extending farther forward than those on the forehead. 

 Adult Male. Head, dull greenish-black, the occiput with a long, 

 pointed crest of narrow feathers; neck and sides of the chest, dull buff, 

 or light cinnamon, streaked with black; other lower parts mainly white. 

 Adult Female. Very similar in color to last species. 



