MICHIGAN BIRD LIFE. 
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32. Hooded Merganser. Lophodytes cucullatus (Linn.). (131) 
Synonyms: Hooded Sheldrake, Summer Sheldrake, Little Fish Duck, Little Saw-bill. 
—Mergus cucullatus, Linn., 1758, and most of the older writers.—Lophodytes cucullatus 
of more recent authors. 
Figure 11. 
Comparison with the figure of the head will identify the male at once, 
and the female is sufficiently similar. The ‘“saw-bill” and the small size 
would also separate it from the other fish ducks with which alone it could 
be confounded. 
Distribution.—North America generally, south to Mexico and Cuba, 
breeding nearly throughout its range. Casual in Europe. 
A common migrant throughout the state, and probably breeds much 
more generally than is suspected. It doubtless nests along most of the 
streams of the Lower Peninsula, as 
well as in the northern parts of the 
state. We have records of eggs or 
young from Alcona county, Oscoda 
county, Iosco county, Kent county, 
Chippewa county, Kalkaska county, 
and Calhoun county. Wherever it 
is found in midsummer it may be 
fairly assumed to be nesting, al- 
though as with most ducks the males 
leave the females after incubation 
has begun and wander more or less, 
sometimes alone, more often in com- 
pany with other males. 
The bird nests invariably in the 
hollow of a tree, often at a consider- 
able height from the ground, and the 
nest consists of grasses and down 
from the breast of the mother. The Wig, 1 Headed warbansar. 
eggs, six to ten in number, are pure (from Bailey’s Handbook of Birds of the Western 
white, sometimes nest-stained, and United States. (Houghton, Mifflin & Co.) 
are rounded oval, sometimes almost globular. They average 2.09 by 1.75 
inches. 
In habits this species is similar to other fish ducks, but is more partial 
to the smaller and more rapid streams where it is believed, probably with 
more or less reason, to feed on the young of various fishes, including bass 
and trout. It often remains through the winter wherever open running 
water furnishes a supply of food. It dives and swims beneath the water 
with the utmost ease, and its quick motions either in the water or on the 
wing make it a difficult bird to shoot. Its flesh is much more palatable 
than that of the other mergansers, being often entirely free from fishy 
taste. This fact gives color to the statements of some writers that it 
feeds largely on vegetable food, a question which we have had no oppor- 
tunity to investigate. 
TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION. 
In the adult male the larger part of the head and the whole of the neck and throat are 
deep black, but there is a very long crest of pure white feathers tipped with black, which 
