ORNAMENTAL WATERFOWL. 243 
spring of 1907. More delicate in constitution, it comes south- 
ward in advance of the other AMergus, but its general habits 
resemble those of the rest of the genus. It is capable of 
domestication, specimens having been for many years in the 
Zoological Gardens of London. The Smew breeds in hollow 
trees, when the eggs, which are often concealed with down, are 
found lying upon a heap of rotten chips. 
Male.—Head white, with a long crest, falling backwards, 
of the same colour, having a black patch extending over each 
eye and the fore part of the cheek, the hind portion of the 
crest being likewise black; remainder of plumage white, a 
black band extending over the shoulders, between the wings 
down the back ; tail and flight feathers black; bill and legs 
bluish lead colour ; eyes pearly white, red in some specimens. 
Weight about twenty-four ounces. 
Female.—Throat, neck, and under parts white ; head, 
cheeks, and back of neck reddish-brown; back and wings ashy- 
brown ; bill and legs same as male ; eye reddish-brown. 
Young.—In down, head, neck, and upper body dark 
ash, two white spots on each shoulder, and one either side of 
rump ; cheeks, throat, and under body white. The young in 
first feather resemble the female, acquiring full plumage after 
the second year. 
Egg.—Yellowish ; ten to twelve in number. May—June. 
Nest Down.—“Greyish-white.” (Seebohm). 
GENUS LOPHODYTES. 
ROUND-CRESTED DUCK OR HOODED MERGANSER. 
(Lophodytes cucullatus. Mergus cucullatus.) 
North America is the true home of this Merganser. which 
has, however, been occasionally killed in the British Isles. In 
