General 
descrip- 
tion. 
Female. 
884 NATATORES. MERGUS. MERGANSER. 
winter it migrates southwards, and is then dispersed along 
the coasts, and upon the lakes and rivers of the United 
States, where Witson describes it as of frequent occurrence, 
and as possessing similar habits to those of the Red-breasted 
Merganser. In this species the bill is short, and intermediate 
in form between that of the Smew and of the two foregoing 
birds. The teeth are also different, for, instead of being 
conical and sharp-pointed, they are broad and even at the 
top, with sharp edges, and are obliquely set in the mandibles. 
The palate, also, in the place of acute longitudinal ridges, 
has several transverse furrows. With its tracheal anatomy 
we have but little acquaintance, as Witson merely states 
that it has a small labyrinth ; and the part is not adverted to 
by Dr Ricnarpson, or Mr Swatnsoy. 
Piate 58** represents the above-mentioned specimen, of 
which the description is as follows. 
Length nearly eighteen inches. Bill, from the forehead to 
the tip, about one inch and a half long; rather slender, 
and not so thick at the base as in the Smew ; the serra- 
tures broad, with sharp edges. The colour of the bill 
appears to have been orange at the base, and darker 
towards the tip. Chin greyish-white, speckled with pale 
broccoli-brown. Crown of the head inclining to liver- 
brown; the occipital crest (which is large and semicir- 
cular) passing into pale reddish-brown. Face, cheeks, 
and neck, pale broccoli-brown, or mouse colour. Breast 
and sides of the lower part of neck broccoli-brown, deep- 
ly margined with pearl-grey. Upper parts of the body 
brownish-black ; the feathers upon the mantle and sca- 
pulars being margined with obscure greyish-brown. 
Outer edges of the exterior webs of the secondaries 
white, forming a small speculum in the middle of the 
wing. Under plumage white. The sides and flanks 
broccoli-brown, with paler margins. ‘Tail composed of 
fourteen feathers, deep clove-brown, and reaching near- 
5 
