ANATINJi — THE DUCKS — MERGUS. 



119 



Richardson appears to have confounded the habits of this species with those of the 

 larger one ; thus rendering it difficult to determine liow far his account of either bird 

 is correct. He states that the Merganser frequents the lakes and rivers in all parts 

 of the Fur Countries, making its nest, in uninhabited places, of withered grass and 

 leathers. It passes most of its time in the water, swimming with great rapidity, and 

 with the body immersed. Upon the appearance of danger it immediately dives, and 

 remains under the water for a long time. It flies rapidly, and for long distances ; 

 but moves on the land with great awkwardness and difficulty. 



In California, according to Dr. Cooper, this bird is more abundant in the winter 

 than the larger species, but has habits very similar to those of that bird. It is found 

 as far south as San Diego. Dr. Cooper is of opinion that the female of this species 

 may be seen in the Sierra Nevada in summer, and that it is then also common in 

 the Eocky Mountains, as also in the Cascade Eange. Possibly, however, the larger 

 species is the one found in those localities ; nevertheless Dr. Cooper may be correct, 

 inasmuch as Captain Bendire has since found it comraon in Eastern Oregon. 



It was seen breeding in considerable numbers in the neighborhood of Fort Ander- 

 son, on the borders of the wooded country, by Mr. MacFarlane. The nests were on 

 tlie ground, near the edges of fresh-water lakes and ponds, under the shelter of fallen 

 timber or of projecting banks, and were generally composed almost exclusively of 

 down. A nest with six eggs Avas found July 4, the eggs containing partially devel- 

 oped embryos. The largest number seen in any one nest was eight. Mr. MacFarlane 

 mentions that when descending Lockhart River in a canoe, in September, 1864, the 

 party met with a small flock of this Merganser ; the birds appeared to be occupied 

 in lumting fish, and were found to be exceedingly fat and heavy. At first they suf- 

 fered him to approach near enough for a shot ; but when he missed his mark they 

 would dive, and remain a considerable time under the water, and then appear a long 

 way ahead or astern of the canoe. After being once missed, they became exceedingly 

 shy and wary, and Avould dive while they were still too far off to be shot at with 

 effect. They Avere very nearly as active, and as wary in the water, as is the Loon ; 

 but he managed to secure four specimens. 



Mr. W. E. Barrj', of Kennebunk, Me. ("Am. Nat.," II. 6G0), gives an interesting 

 paper on the migratory movements of this species, from which Ave here present 

 a fcAV facts. Before the river has begun to open in spring this bird makes its 

 ajipearance in the morning, but rarely before sunrise. It flies from the sea up the 

 stream. Sometimes the birds file along one after the other ; but more often preserve 

 no regular order. When anything alarms them they sometimes croak. If attracted, 

 tliey turn at a distance, retrace their flight, scale Ioav over the Avater, throw out their 

 webbed feet, and stop with a splash. They croak, dive Avith vigor, and return to the 

 surface in a moment. No noise is heard from their Avings, be their flight ever so 

 rapid. The Mergansers seen on the breaking up of the ice are said to be as nothing 

 in numbers compared Avith the quantity folloAving a little later, Avhen they come in 

 flocks of from twelve to seventy-five, all going east. ]\Iost of the flocks in spring 

 a|)peared to be made up of males. The females came later, and in large flocks. These 

 birds are not only among the first to appear in the early spring, but also are among 

 those Avhich form the rear of the great migratory flight. 



This species is of regular occurrence, both in spring and in fall, at Lake Kosko- 

 nong, Avhere, according to Professor Kumlien, it is not very common. 



Mr. Dall met Avith it at Amchitka, lat. 61° 23' north, long. 179° 12' west — the 

 onl\ locality in the Aleutian Islands Avhere it has yet been observed. It was rare 

 thei was evidently only a summer visitor, and was apparently breeding. 



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