ANSERES. 35 



Order ANSERES. Lamellirostral Swimmers. 

 Family Anatid^. Ducks, Geese, and Swans. 



The members of this order must be treated under the sub- 

 family groups. 



Subfamily Merging. Mergansers. 



All three American members of this subfamily occur in 

 Ohio somewhat regularly during the migrations. They are 

 properly designated "Fish Ducks," because they feed largely 

 upon fish, but probably also eat mollusks, crustaceans, frogs, 

 and other aquatic animals to some extent. Dr. Warren 

 states that in diving they use the wings as well as the feet 

 for propulsion. On the surface of the water they certainly 

 use their wings when hard pressed to get away, but are un- 

 able to fly up. The flesh of the two larger species is rank 

 and fishy, but the Hooded Merganser is a table delicacy. 



24. (129.) Merganser americanus (Cass.). 268. 



American Merganser. 



Synonyms: Mergus merganser, M. m. americanus, M. ameri- 

 icanus. 

 Merganser, Goosander, Fish Duck, American Sheldrake. 

 Kirtland, Ohio Geol. Surv., 1838. 166, 187. 



Both mergansers remain all winter where there may be 

 open water sufficient for feeding. This form appears to be 

 the more common of the two belonging to the genus Mer- 

 ganser. It is found on Lake Erie well into January, but is 

 not found during the period when the lake is ice bound — 

 during the most of February and sometimes the first week 

 of March. It has passed north by the third week in April. 



25. (130.) Merganser serrator (Linn.). 269. 



Red-breasted Merganser. 



Synonyms: Mergus serrator. 



Red-breasted Sheldrake. 

 Kirtland, Ohio Geol. Surv., 1838, 166, 187. 



