65 



FAMILY — ANATIDiE. DUCKS, GEESE, AND SWANS. 



General Description. As this is the only family included under the order Anseres the 

 descriptive matter under the previous heading applies here and need not be repeated. 



The family is divided into five subfamilies: the Mergince or Mergan- 

 sers; Anatidce or River Ducks; Fuligulinx or Sea Ducks; Anserince or 

 Geese; and the Cygninos or. Swans. For the characters of these see under 

 proper headings following. 



Subfamily — Merginae. Mergansers. Fishing Ducks. Saw-bills. 



General Description. Fish-eating Ducks with a more cylindrical, tapering, and less 

 spatulate or flattened bill, than the other Ducks (Figure 7, p. 19). The cutting edges of 

 the mandibles have a series of serrations giving foundation for the popular name "Saw- 

 bill." The nail on the tip of the bill forms a small but evident hook. The hind toe is 

 developed into a flat paddle or fin-shaped lobe similar to that of the Sea Ducks and quite 

 different from the hind toe of the River Ducks which follow. The males are brightly and 

 strikingly coloured, mostly in black and white. The females are dull coloured with reddish 

 heads and necks. Most plumages have crests. In the females and young birds the crests 

 are ragged and without well-defined shape. 



Distinctions. The bill is always diagnostic and easily distinguishes the Mergansers 

 from the Sea Ducks which resemble them in the character of the hind toe. 



Field Marks. Evident duck-like form combined with the long, slender, cylindrical, 

 and slightly hooked bill. 



Nesting. Mergansers are mostly river haunters in the breeding seasons, nesting 

 either on the ground, among rocks, or in hollow trees. 



Distribution. A small family, most of its species inhabit the northern hemisphere. 



Mergansers feed upon fish and shell-fish captured under water by 

 diving; for this method of feeding their hooked and serrated bills are 

 admirably adapted. They are, during the breeding season, mostly fresh- 

 water frequenters though they visit the sea sometimes in large numbers. 

 They are not very desirable table birds, though some young autumn birds, 

 properly cooked, are not to be altogether despised. 



Economic Status. Mergansers eat fish and, in certain waters, such as 

 at the heads of salmon streams, they may do appreciable harm. Ordinary 

 trout streams are too small for these species, and as no careful examination 

 of stomach contents has been made the birds should not be condemned 

 without more exact knowledge. 



Genus — Mergus. Sheldrakes. 



129. American Merganser, saw-bim,, goosander, sheldrake, shelduck. 

 fr. — le harle d'ameriqtje. Mergus americanus. L, 25. Of the same general appearance 

 as the next species (Plate III A), but the males without crest or reddish breast-band. 



Distinctions. See next species. 



Field Marks. General coloration and the lack of crest or breast-band in the male are 

 distinctive. When flying, the long, outstretched head and neck and generally grey- 

 coloured back will separate the females of these two Mergansers from other Ducks having 

 white wing-patches. 



Nesting. In hollow trees or rock cavities near water; nest of grasses, etc. 



Distribution. Common across the whole continent, nesting throughout eastern 

 Canada except in the most southern parts. 



