120 



LAMELLIROSTUAL SVVIMMKHS — ANSEllErf. 



Eggs of tliis species collec-tefl on irudson's Hay by Mr. Droxler (Smitlisoniaii Iiisti- 

 tntioii, No. 4c{5()) vary from 2.45 to 2.50 inches in length, and from 1.75 to l.SO in 

 breadth, and are of a uniform pale-drab color. Mr. Dresser describes the color of this 

 egg as being a dull stone-drab, or creamy buff, with a greenish-gray tinge, and as 

 measuring from 2.55 inches by 1.75, and 2.55 by 1.85, to 2.75 l)y 1.80, and 2.G5 by 

 1.70. The down with which the nest of this bird is lined is light gray, with a bluish 

 tinge, the centres being white, and the tips grayish white. Jlr. Dresser thinks none 

 of this species remain to breed in New Hrunswick ; but in this he is certainly mis- 

 taken, as I have met with its nests in the more southern portions. It is probably 

 more or less common in that province and in Nova Scotia. 



I M\i 



Genus LOPHODYTES, Keiciiknhach. 



Lophodytes, Heiciienb. Syst. Av. 1852, [i. ix. (type, Mcrrjus cuculltitics, Linn.). 



Char. Bill shorter than the liuatl, black ; serrations compressed, low, short, inserted obliquely 

 on the eil},'e of the bill. Tail more than half as long as thi! wings. Tarsus about two thirds as 

 long as the longest toe (with claw). Head with a full, semicu'cular, compressed crest of hair-like 

 feathers. 



L. cucullatitu 



The genus Lophodijtes is quite distinct from Mergus in the possession of the above characters. 

 The bill is also nnich more (le])resscd terminally, and, in proportion to its length, deeper through 

 the base. The nostrils are situated far back, as in AT. sermtor. But one species is known, unless 

 the Mergus odosetacens of Vieillot,i a South American bird (which we have not seen), be referable 

 to this geiuis rather than to Mergus. 



* Mergus octosetaceus. «. 



Mergus octosetaceus, Vieill. Nouv. Diet. XIV. 1817, 222. — ScL. & Salv. P. Z. S. 1876, 409 



( monographic )• 

 Mergus hrasiliaims, ViKii.L. Gal, Ois. II. 1834, 209, pi. 283. — Pelz. Orn. Bras. 1870, 322.— 



ScL. & Salv. Nom. Neotr. 1873, 131. 

 Mergus fuscus, Licht. Verz. Duabl. 1823, 85. 

 "Mergus lopholcs, Cuv. MS." (Sihleoel.) 



ii 



