440 THE GAME BIEDS AND WILD FOWL 



Subfamily MERQIN/E.— The Mergansers. 



The Mergansers resemble the Diving Ducks and Eiders in having the hind 

 toe broadly lobed; but the bill is compressed, the lower mandible vfithout 

 lamellae, but with the edges of both mandibles furnished with a series of very 

 prominent tooth-like serrations. The moult is similar to that of the non-diving 

 Ducks. 



This subfamily is composed of nine species, divisible into three fairly well 

 defined genera. 



Genus MERGANSER, or Typical Mergansers. 



Type, MBEGANSEE CASTOE. 



Merganser, of Brisson (1760). — The birds comprising the present genus 

 are characterised by having the culmen longer than the metatarsus, and the 

 tooth-like serrations on both mandibles very prominent and inclined backwards 

 at the tips. The wings are moderately long. The nostrils are lateral and 

 central. Three toes in front connected with webs ; hind toe moderate and lobed. 



This genus contains seven species, distributed over the Palsearctic and 

 Nearctic regions, Northern India, South-eastern Brazil, and the Auckland 

 Islands in the South Pacific Ocean. Two species are British. 



The typical Mergansers frequent both inland waters and maritime districts. 

 They are birds of rapid flight, and swim and dive with exceptional skill. Their 

 notes are harsh and unmusical. They subsist largely on fish, crustaceans, 

 mollusks, etc. They make rude nests, either on the ground or in holes of trees 

 and rocks. Their eggs are numerous and creamy-buff or olive-grey, unspotted. 

 They probably pair for life, and are more or less gregarious and social. 



