80 



GJME BIHDS OF CALIF OMNI A 



Eggs — 10 to 16, ovate in shape, measuring in inches, 2.50 to 2.80 by 1.70 to 

 1.80 (in millimeters, 63.5 to 71 by 43.2 to 45.7) ; pale buff in color (Davie, 1900, 

 p. 76 and authors). 



General distribution — North America. Breeds from southern Alaska, 

 southern Yukon, central Keewatin, southern TJngava and Newfoundland south 

 to central Oregon, southern South Dakota, northern New York and Maine, and 

 in the mountains to central California, central Arizona and northern New 

 Mexico. Winters from Aleutian Islands, British Columbia, northern Colorado, 

 southern Ontario and New Brunswick, south to northern Lower California, 

 northern Mexico and the Gulf states (modified from A. O. XT. Cheek-list, 1910, 

 p. 66). 



American Merganser 



21609 



21609 



Fig. 6. Top of bill. Both drawings natural size. 



Note slender outline (length more than three times height 

 at base), sharp "teeth", absence of cross-ridges on sides 

 (compare with figs. 9 and 17), and situation of nostrils rela- 

 tively far from base (compare with figs. 7 and 8). 



Distribution in California — ^Fairly common winter visitant to interior 

 valleys and the entire coast region; partial to the vicinity of fresh water. 

 Occurs in summer and breeds about lakes and along streams of the Sierra 

 Nevada from the MoCloud River, in Shasta County, south to the upper Kern 

 River in Tulare County; also in the Humboldt Bay district. 



The American Merganser, sometimes referred to as the hand- 

 somest of swimming birds, is to be looked for during the winter in 

 pairs or small flocks along rivers, in lakes and with less certainty on 

 the ocean or on salt marshes. It is occasionally found summering 

 about lakes and along streams in the high mountains. At no time 

 or place in California can it be said to be actually common as com- 

 pared with other ducks, unless at Lake Tahoe, as described beyond. 



