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THE HOODED MERGANSER. 



Mergus cucullatus, Linn. 



PLATE CCXXXII. Male and Female. 



Excepting the Smew or White Nun, the Hooded Merganser is the 

 handsomest of its family. Its broad and rounded crest of pure white, 

 with an edging of jetty black, and which it closes or spreads out at plea- 

 sure, renders the male of this species conspicuous on the waters to which 

 it resorts. The activity of its motions, the rapidity of its flight, and its 

 other habits, contribute to render it a pleasing object to the student of 

 nature, not less than to the sportsman. Its flesh, however, has a fishy 

 taste and odour, although it is reUshed by some persons. It seems to pre- 

 fer fresh water, and is by no means very frequent along the sea coast. 

 Long, narrow, and moderately deep creeks, or small ponds, are more fre- 

 quented by it than large rivers or lakes. 



On the waters of the Western and Southern States, these Mergansers 

 are seen to arrive from the north early in October, but generally later 

 than many species of Ducks, although sooner than either the Red-breasted 

 Merganser or the Goosander. At the approach of night, a person stand- 

 ing still on the banks of such a river as the Ohio, first hears the well- 

 known sound of wings whistling through the air, presently after, a diffe- 

 rent noise, as if produced by an eagle stooping on her prey, when gliding 

 downwards with the rapidity of an arrow, he dimly perceives the Hooded 

 Mergansers sweeping past. Five or six, perhaps ten, there are; with 

 quick beats of their pinions, they fly low over the waters in wide circles. 

 Now they have spied the entrance of a creek ; there they shoot into it, 

 and in a few seconds you hear the rushing noise which they make as they 

 alight on the bosom of the still pool. How often have I enjoyed such 

 scenes, when enticed abroad by the clear light of the silvery moon, I have 

 wandered on the shores of la belle riviere, to indulge in the contemplation 

 of nature ! 



Up the creek the Mergansers proceed, washing their bodies by short 

 plunges, and splashing up the water about them. Then they plume them- 

 selves, and anoint their feathers, now and then emitting a low grunting 

 note of pleasure. And now they dive in search of minnows, which they 



