ANATIDA. 473 
THE RED-BREASTED MERGANSER. 
MERGUS SERRATOR, Linnzus. 
The Red-breasted Merganser is generally distributed during the 
winter along the shores of England and Wales; but, unlike the 
Goosander, it is not partial at that season to inland waters, though 
sometimes observed far up tidal rivers. In Scotland it is resident, 
and breeds in considerable numbers on the fresh-water lochs as 
well as on the coasts of the northern and western districts of the 
mainland, especially in Ross and Sutherland ; while it is abundant in 
the Hebrides and Orkneys, though less frequent in the Shetlands. 
In Ireland, where it is known as “ Sheld-Duck,” and occasionally as 
“Spear-Wigeon ” from the sharp serrated bill, it nests regularly on 
most of the large loughs, and in many localities along the sea-board; 
while hundreds may sometimes be seen together in severe weather. 
This species breeds in Greenland, Iceland, the Feeroes, Scandi- 
navia, Northern Russia, and—sparingly—on the islands of the 
Baltic, as well as along its southern shores. In winter it visits the 
lakes and large rivers of the Continent, though less plentiful there 
than the Goosander ; yet on the coasts it is more numerous, and it 
is by no means rare throughout the Mediterranean, migrating as far 
as the waters of Algeria and Egypt. It ranges across Northern 
