408 FEATHERED GAME 
These birds average about four and one-quar- 
ter pounds weight for the males, the females 
running from one-half pound to one pound less. 
In length they vary from twenty-four to twenty- 
seven inches; in extent about thirty-five. 
They nest upon the ground or in the hollow of 
a tree, laying from six to eight eggs. They 
usually choose the edge of some secluded fresh 
water pond for their home, but often make their 
nest a long distance from water if unable to 
find a suitable place near it. Safety is the 
prime requisite—convenience comes after. 
They breed anywhere from our northern States 
into the Arctic regions and are one of the com- 
monest of the breeding waterfowl on our Maine 
lakes. They winter in moderate numbers in 
our coast waters, though the greater bulk of 
these birds have gone south at this season. 
THE RED-BREASTED MERGANSER. 
(Merganser serrator.) 
Most common of all in New England coast 
waters is the Red-breasted Merganser, the 
Shelldrake alongshore, where many gunners 
know no other species than this bird. He winters 
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