456 THE GAME BIRDS AND WILD FOWL 



Time during which the Red breasted Merganser may 



be taken. — August ist to March ist. 



Habits. — Our resident Red-breasted Mergansers are consider- 

 ably increased in numbers in autumn by migratory individuals 

 from higher latitudes, which return again in spring. A considerable 

 southern movement also takes place among the birds breeding in 

 Scotland and the north-west of Ireland, many of the former 

 straying to English waters. Although common enough in many 

 comparatively inland districts, I should say that the favourite 

 haunts of this species are on the coast, and that it is far more partial 

 to marine localities than the preceding species. It loves a wild, 

 rocky coast full of secluded bays and lochs and fjords, and studded 

 with islands, and may frequently be observed where streams and 

 rivers flow into the sea or loch. During winter it is gregarious, 

 and flocks of varying size may then be met with at sea, or during 

 rough weather, congregated in the sheltered bays and fjords. A 

 long-continued spell of rough weather on the coast often drives 

 this bird to inland waters and exceptional haunts. By the end 

 of March most of these flocks are dispersed and the birds are in 

 pairs at their usual breeding places. It is a shy and wary species, 

 but owing to the rough nature of the banks of its favourite waters 

 it may be easily stalked and watched. I know of few prettier 

 sights than a pair of these Mergansers swimming all unsuspecting of 

 danger in some quiet sea-loch. They swim side by side in the 

 deep water close in-shore, and from time to time dive and re- 

 appear some distance further on. Then, perchance, they paddle 

 in the shallows, or stand upon a rock an inch or two below the 

 surface and preen their plumage, standing very upright, like a 

 Cormorant or a Diver. In the pairing season I have often 

 witnessed the aquatic gambols of these birds, the drake chasing 

 the duck through the water or diving after and churning the calm 

 sea into bubbles and foam for a considerable area. The Mergan- 

 ser feeds principally by day, and will fly with great regularity to 

 certain spots, timing its arrival to a nicety just when the rocks are 

 beginning to be exposed by the ebbing tide, and remaining as 

 long as the deep pools, in which many fish are stranded, remain 

 isolated. It flies almost invariably in spring and early summer in 

 pairs, sometimes one bird several yards behind the other, but always 



