Birds of Massachusetts. 253 
The Lone-ramen Dvcx, Fuligula glacialis, is a 
resident in the north, where it associates with the 
eider and other ducks, and lingers as long as the 
cold leaves the waters open; but when the ice be- 
gins to form upon the Arctic seas, it migrates toward 
the south in search of food, and is then seen regular- 
ly and abundantly on the shores of Massachusetts ; 
the young sometimes resorting to the fresh waters, 
while the old birds keep near the sea. "They are 
lively and animated in their motions, and so noisy 
in conversation, that they are sometimes called old 
wives. They are expert in flying, diving and 
swimming ; their food consists partly of the animal 
and partly of the vegetable productions of the sea. 
The caravans which pass along our coasts are large, 
and their noise can be heard at a great distance, kept 
up for hours in morning and evening, and also in 
calm, foggy weather. This bird is elegant in its 
appearance, but not held in much estimation as food. 
Its down is said to be equal to that of the eider, but 
the quantity is not so great. 
The GoosaxpER, Mergus merganser, is found in 
winter on the fresh lakes, rivers, and seacoast of 
the United States. They are seen here in small 
companies, continually diving in search of food. In 
April most of them disappear, and do not return till 
November. The extent of their breeding range is 
not known ; but it is ascertained that some of the 
young are reared in Pennsylvania, and yet it is evi- 
dent, from their habits, that the Arctic regions must 
be their more familiar home. Audubon describes 
