286 



MERGANSER. 



Genus MERGANSER. 



Bill longer than in Mergus, narrow, and strongly hooked at end. Serrations 

 of both mandibles tooth-like, with points directed backwards. Head crested. 

 Tail cuneate, of eighteen feathers. 



324. Merganser castor. The Goosander. 



Merganser=a, diving Goose; from mergus + anser. Coined by Gesner, on account of the 

 bird's size. 



Ala ghaz aurdak, Yarkand. 



$ 25" to 28" ; 2f to 3^ lbs. ? 23" to 25" ; 2 to 2f lbs. Legs orange. Bill 



blood-red, with black ridge. Crest, head, and neck glossy green. Above black 



324. Merganser castor. Bishop, Charbar, Mekran coast, 29.1.75. 



and ashy. Breast and abdomen white. Wing-coverts orange. — Female: Ashy 

 red head. W. Europe to Kamschatka, and in winter extends from S. Europe to 

 China and Japan. Found in Himalayas in summer at 10,000 feet and upwards. 

 Seven to twelve eggs (2-7 x 1-85), white. (J. 972. B. 1613.) 



Also M. comatus. 25" to 27". Similar to M. castor. Distinguished by Salvador! as the 

 Indian bird. 



M. americanus. Similar to M. castor, but male has a conspicuous black band across wing. 

 N. America, occasional in Bermudas. 



M. squamatus. 23". Long occipital crest. Head above rufous, sides of head and throat 

 paler. Sides of breast and flanks with two or three narrow crescentic bands on each feather. 

 China. 



325. Merganser senator. The Red-breasted Merganser. 



Serrdtor= one using a saw, serra. 



(? 22" to 26" ; 2 lbs. ? 21" to 23J". Legs deep red. Bill deep red. Light 

 brown band, streaked black round base of neck. Narrow black band down back 

 of neck. Elanks white, vermiculated grey and black. Rump white. — Females 

 Crown and nape dull brown. Chin and throat white. Northern Hemisphere,, 

 and wintering in Mediterranean area, C. Asia, United States, etc. Six to twelve 

 eggs (2-6 X 1-7), pale buff. (B. 1614. H. & M. iii. 305.) 



Also M. australis. 19". Legs red-brown. Bill red-brown, tip black. Head and neck 

 brown in both sexes. Flanks dark grey. Under tail-coverts grey, edged white. Aucklands. 



M. brasilianus. 19". Legs and bill greenish black. Head and upper neck glossy black. 

 Lower parts barred, white and black. S.E. Brazil. 



Also the genus Lophodytes. With serrations of both mandibles short, blunt, and not inclinedi 

 backwards at tips. One species, viz. — 



L. cucullatus. 17i". The Hooded Merganser. Legs yellow. Bill black. Head and upper 

 neck black. Semicircular crest white, edged black. Above brown-black. Eump and below 

 white. N. America, casual in British Isles. Eggs (2 x 1-7) white. 



