Calli 



BIRDS OF NEW YORK STATE 65 



Merganser (continued) 



Nu Mh2 Nest with Eggs among Rocks. Georgian bay, Canada. 

 (July 1912) Bailey 



Note how downy the nest is. The down is plucked by the 

 female from her own breast. It is often built in an old stump 

 or a hollow tree as well as in clififs. 



Merganser, Red-breasted {Mergus serrator) 



20-25 



Nu MhR8 Four Adults in Flight over Decoys in Water. Long Cove, 

 Great South bay. (April 4, 1909) Harper 



The one in the lead is a female, the others males pursuing. 

 The picture was made at the height of the courtship season. 

 This species winters in large numbers on Great South bay. 

 Note how narrow their bills are compared with those of other 

 ducks. 



Nighthawk {Chordeiles virginianus virginianus) 



The name nighthawk is misleading, for the bird is not a hawk, 

 but related to the whip-poor-will and swifts. It flies about at 

 night, feeding upon moths, mosquitos and other insects that are 

 in the air at that time. Its cry may be heard at night over cities 

 and towns. 9.5-10 



Nu Ni Adult on Old Fence Post. Decorah, Iowa. (June 3, 1901) 



Hegner 



The nest is near by. The bird alighted on this post after being 

 flushed. Note how horizontally it perches; also the short bill 

 and large mouth. The weak feet are concealed. 



Nu Ni2 Eggs on Graveled Roof. Kirk block, Syracuse. (1903) 



Bailey 



The nests are more commonly found in cities nowadays than 

 in the gravel banks and quarries of the country. Every city that 

 has flat graveled roofs gives this bird a nesting site. The eggs 

 are usually two in number and so well marked that they are not 

 easily seen in gravel beds. 

 Nu Ni4 Young Bird on Graveled Roof. Syracuse. (1903) Bailey 



The young birds are covered with grayish down and are 

 almost invisible on gravel or rough stones. 

 3 



