SUBFAM. XI. Meraina. 
GENUS MERGUS. 
The birds of this genus are easily distinguishable by the 
long slender body, thin neck, and large head, which is often 
tufted. The bill is long, slender, and sharply serrated at 
the edge, the upper mandible terminating in a strong hook. 
The plumage is thick and brightly coloured, the males under- 
going an annual change; the wings are of moderate length ; 
the tail is short, and rounded. Their flight is rapid, and they 
are remarkable for their powers of diving. The Mergansers 
belong to Northern regions, whence they migrate to Southern 
Europe, Asia and America. They subsist chiefly upon fish, 
small reptiles, shell-fish, and insects. They pair, constructing 
their nests both upon the ground and among the branches of 
low trees. The eggs are pale grey or greenish-white, eight to 
ten in number, incubation occupying from twenty-three to 
twenty-five days, the young birds when first hatched being 
able to dive, and subsisting upon shrimps, and other minute 
crustacea, which they find among the water weed. . 
Three genera comprise the subfamily, Mergus, Lophodytes, 
and Merganser. 
THE SMEW. 
(Mergus albellus. ) 
This rare winter visitor is met with occasionally during 
hard weather on the coast in all parts of the British Islands. It 
feeds on small fish and thin shelled mollusca and crustacea. 
On the coast of Norfolk it is known as the “Smee Duck,” 
“White Wigeon,” and “Weazel Wigeon.” One specimen was 
observed upon the Serpentine Water in London in the early 
