HOODED MERGANSER. 247 



find in abundance, and which no doubt prove delicious food to the hun- 

 gry travellers. At length, having satisfied their appetite, they rise on 

 wing, fly low over the creek with almost incredible velocity, return to the 

 broad stream, rove along its margin until they meet with a clean sand- 

 beach, where they alight, and where, secure from danger, they repose un- 

 til the return of day. A sly Racoon may, when in search of mussels, 

 chance to meet with the sleeping birds, and surprise one of them ; but 

 this rarely happens, for they are as wary and vigilant as their enemy is 

 cunning, and were the prowler to depend upon Hooded Mergansers for 

 food, he would be lean enough. 



This bird ranges throughout the United States during winter, content 

 with the food it meets with in the bays and estuaries of the eastern coast, 

 and on the inland streams. The dam of the Pennsylvania miller is as 

 agreeable to it as that of the Carolina rice-planter. The Le High and 

 Brandy-wine Creek have their fishes, as well as the waters of Bear Grass 

 or Bayou Sara. Nay, the numerous streams and pools of the interior of 

 the Floridas are resorted to by this species, and there I have found them 

 full of life and gaiety, as well as on the Missouri, and on our great lakes. 

 When the weather proves too cold for them they move southwards many 

 of them removing towards Mexico. 



The Hooded Merganser is a most expert diver, and so vigilant that 

 at times it escapes even from the best percussion gun. As to shooting at 

 it with a flint lock, you may save yourself the trouble unless you prevent 

 it from seeing the flash of the pan. If you wound one, never follow it : 

 the bird, when its strength is almost exhausted, immerses its body, raises 

 the point of its bill above the surface, and in this manner makes its way 

 among the plants, until finding some safe retreat along the shore, it be- 

 takes itself to it, and there remains, so that you may search for it in vain, 

 unless you have a good dog. Even on wing it is not easily shot. If on 

 a creek ever so narrow, it will fly directly towards its mouth, although 

 you may be standing knee-deep in the middle. It comes up like a ball, 

 rises and passes over head with astonishing speed, and if you shoot at it, 

 do not calculate upon a liit. You may guess how many one may shoot 

 in a day. 



When I removed from Pennsylvania to Kentucky, the Hooded Mer- 

 ganser was not uncommon in the neighbourhood of Louisville during 

 summer, and I told Wilson so. On several occasions I caught the 

 young with a partridge net ; and let me assure you. Reader, that they 



