DUCKS, GEE8K AND SWANS OF NOIiTU AJIEHICA. 



39 



on the ground, and usually very carefully concealed. The eggs are pale Iniff 

 color, from eight to twelve in nuniljcr. 



The female of this species may always be distinguislied from the American 

 Merganser, or Goosiuuler, by the ditlerence in the distance from the nostril to 

 the tip of the bill. 



Genus LOPHODYTES Reich. 



LOPHODYTES CUCULLATUS {Liini.). 



Hooded flerganser. 



Il.UKV CltdWN. 



(JHile.) 



(Ffiiiale.) 



Advil iiKile : Head with large black and white crest ; 



upper pnrts, lilaek: under parts, white, haviiij; the sides 

 browuish, delicately barred with blael;. 



Length, 10.50; wing, 7.7.5; tarsus, 1.30; bill, 1.50. 

 Adult female : Head aud neck, Ijrowuish, showing !i slight 

 crest, but not nearly as large as in the male ; under parts white. 

 Length, 18.50; wing, 7.75; tarsus, 1.30; bill, 1.50. 

 The young bird resenildes the female, but has no crest. 

 Length, 18.50; wing, 7.70; tarsus, 1.25; bill, 1.50. 



The Hooded Merganser is found in many pai'ts of Xortli America, from the 

 Atlantic to the Pacitic. It is common in Florida in winter, and in many of 

 tlie Gulf States to Mexico and Cuba, breeding throughout its range. The eggs 

 are usually de])osited in a hollow tree, near the water; they are white, some- 

 times buffy white, in color, and number from seven to ten. The note 

 somewhat resemljles that of the Scauj) Duck, but is sharper. 



