3/6 RED-BREASTED MERGANSER. 



says: "The small fish which the present species pursues 

 have little chance of escape, as the whole flock of birds 

 present dive simultaneously and pursue them towards 

 the shore under water ; the fish have no alternative 

 but to run on the shallows, and then their pursuers 

 make short work of them, and satisfy their greedy 

 appetite ". 



When alarmed these birds will occasionally take 

 refuge by flight, though more frequently by diving ; 

 their flight is strong and rapid. 



The nest of this bird is placed in a variety of situa- 

 tions. According to Hewitson the favourite situation is 

 on the woody borders of inland lakes and rivers beneath 

 the shelter of a fir-tree. Seebohm says it always 

 builds on an island, whenever it is possible, and the 

 nest is placed among long grass and heath. It is also 

 said to have been found in a bush, in the hollow of a 

 tree, or in the old nest of a bird of prey. The nest 

 is usually composed of grass, heather, and leaves ; 

 when the eggs have been laid the nest is also lined 

 with the down of the bird. 



The eggs are six to nine or more in number, of 

 a plain olive-grey colour. They are generally found 

 in June. The head and neck of this bird are black, 

 tinted with green and purple ; below this is a white band 

 round the neck ; the rest of the neck and breast are 

 buff, streaked with black ; the rest of the under parts 

 are white, finely lined with black ; the back is black, 

 but the lower part of back and rump is white ; tail 

 greyish black, and wings black and white. 



