114 



LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS — ANSERES. 



usually called, on Hudsou's Bay, the Sheldrake — and speaks of it as very commou 

 on the sea-coast and in the interior parts of the country, Hying in very large flocks. 

 He describes it as being an excellent diver, and as devouring tish in such great quan- 

 tities that it is frequently obliged to disgorge several before it can rise from the 

 water. It frequently swallows tish six or seven inches in length and proportionally 

 thick. Birds of this species frequenting the interior parts of the Fur Country feed 

 chiefly on crawfish, which are very numerous in some of the stony shallow rivers. 

 In the fall of the year they became very fat, and though they feed principally upon 

 fish, yet their flesh at that season is very good. They are said to remain in the 

 Arctic Regions as long as the frost does not prevent their obtaining a subsistence. 



Captain Blakiston mentions meeting with this species in the Saskatchewan Region, 

 as far west as the Rocky Mountains. He also received specimens from Hudson's 

 Bay. 



The Goosander is found on the Pacific coast from Alaska to Southern California. It 

 was taken at Sitka by IMr. Bischoff, and a single sijecimen was obtained at Fort Yukon 

 by Mr. Lockhart ; but it was not observed by any of Mr. Ball's party during their 

 three years' explorations on the Yukon River and its vicinity. In his account of the 

 birds of the Aleutian Islands, Mr. Dall states that several extremely fat examples of 

 this species were killed, December 20, after a norther, in the outer bay, at Unalashka, 

 — where, however, it seemed to be only an accidental visitor. It was not observed at 

 the Shumagins, although reported as common in the winter near the I'rybilof Islands. 



Dr. Cooper obtained a female bird of this species at the highest encampment on 

 the Little Black-foot River, where it had doubtless raised a brood, as this species 

 is known to seek such clear rapid streams in the Cascade Mountains for breeding. 

 M. serrator — the female of which so much resembles this species — is not known 

 to occur so far from the coast. 



Mr. J. A. Allen met with a pair of these birds on Mount Lincoln, in Colorado 

 Territory ; and he afterward, in Septend)er, found them very common in the valley 

 of Great Salt Lake. 



This Merganser has been found on the coast of Vancouver Island hy Mr. R. Browne. 

 According to Dr. Cooper, it is common in some parts of California, but not so abun- 

 dant as in regions farther north, where it occurs along the sea-coast, in the bays, and 

 in the larger rivers, from October to April. In all i)robability some individuals of this 

 species remain to breed in that region along the mountain streams and upon the lakes, 

 but none have been seen doing this. 



Major Wedderburn states that this bird has been met with in the Bermudas. It 

 occurs in large numbers in the neighborhood of Calais, where it is found throughout 

 the suminer months, as well as early in the spring and late in the fall. Mr. Board- 

 man informs me that many of this species breed there, alwaj's resorting for that 

 pur])ose to hollow trees, and that the nests are com])osed of dry and fine grasses, 

 feathers, and down. In Massachusetts it is common in its vernal and autumnal 

 migrations, and is then found almost exclusively in fresh water ; a few of these birds 

 being supposed to breed there. 



This species — also known to the sportsmen of Long Island as the Sheldrake — 

 arrives on the Long Island coast late in the fall, and continues its occupation of fish- 

 ing until compelled to leave for a milder climate in search of food with others of its 

 tribe. On its first appearance it is seen in large flocks ; but it soon scatters, form- 

 ing smaller parties ot from five to twelve, and frequently associating with the Scaup 

 Duck. It is said by Mr. Giraud to be decoyed without nnudi ditticulty. Wlien wounded 

 this bird dives so dexterously that only with the greatest difllculty can it be secured. 



