122 



LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS — ANSERES. 



of the head (from about on a line with the eye) brownish buff, paler on the chin and throat ; 

 juguluin light dingy brownish ; remaining lower parts dingy white, the sides brown, like the 

 upper parts. 



Total length, about 17.50-19.00 inches ; extent, 24.OO-2G.O0 ; wing, 7.50-7.90 ; culmen, 1.50 ; 

 tarsus, 1.25-1.30; middle toe, 1.90-1.95. 



Young female. 



The Hooded Merganser is an exclusively North American species, found nearly 

 throughout the continent, from the Soutliern States, in which it spends the winter 

 months, to the more northern portions of the wooded regions, wliere it breeds. It is 

 found both on the Pacific and the Atlantic coasts, and is only a straggler in Europe, 

 especially in Great Britain. 



Mr. Dall states that it was not obtained by any of his party in Alaska, and believes 

 that, if found at all in that region, it must be very rare. Mr. Bannister, however, 

 thinks that he observed a large flock of this species in October, 1865, only a short 

 time before the harbor at St. Michael's had become frozen over. He shot one of the 

 birds ; but having no boat, could not secure it. He did not notice this species at any 

 other time. It was seen on Vancouver Island by Mr. E,. Browne ; and Dr. Cooper 

 found it common, in Avinter, along the whole Pacific coast, and thinks that it very 

 probably breeds within the limits of Washington Territory, as its unfledged young 

 were found by Dr. Suckley on Puget Sound. This species appears to prefer clear 

 fresh water in the forests and along mountain streams, where it can obtain plenty of 

 young trout and insects. 



It was found on the Mackenzie River by ]\Ir. Ross, and on Hudson's Bay by ISIr. 

 Murray ; and by Captain Blakiston. Sir John Richardson speaks of meeting with 

 it in all parts of the Fur Countries, where he found it frequenting the lakes and 

 rivers. 



Major Wedderburn states that a single specimen of this bird was taken alive near 

 Ireland Island, in Bermuda, in January, 1849, by a sailor ; and Mr. Hurdis adds that 

 another was shot in 1850. 



It is found along the Atlantic coast, from the St. Lawrence to Florida. In winter 

 it is especially abundant in the Carolinas ; and during the breeding-season it is com- 

 mon in Northern Maine and in the provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. 

 It is equally abundant in the forests of Oregon and Washington Territory, and is 

 found, without doubt, throughout the interior in all suitable localities. 



Mr. Dresser states that he noticed this species on the Nueces, Leona, and Medina 

 rivers, although it was not very common in that region ; and he thinks that it probably 

 occurs on most of the larger streams of Texas. 



