244 ORNAMENTAL WATERFOWL. 
the United States, where it is very plentiful, it is usually seen 
on the lakes and fresh-water rivers diving for its food, and 
building either on the shore near water, or depositing its eggs 
in holes of trees and clefts of rocks during the months of 
May and June. I am not aware that there are any living 
specimens of the Hooded Merganser in captivity, but no 
doubt the treatment pursued for the other AZergus would be 
applicable to this magnificent bird, were it procurable. 
Male.—Head and neck glossy-black, with a large crest 
of long silky feathers, which when erected exhibits a fan- 
shaped patch of white, the small end starting from behind 
the eye; back black; tail brownish-black ; breast white, two 
velvety-black bands marking the breast on either side ; wings 
white; flight feathers black; sides reddish-brown, pencilled 
with black; abdomen yellowish; bill red; eyes yellow; legs 
flesh colour. 
Female.—Smaller than male; head, crest, neck, and 
back brown of various shades ; throat white; under parts white; 
bill and legs same as male. 
Young.—In down, brown above, white beneath. In first 
feather described by Eyton as similar to female. The young 
males do not attain full plumage till their third year. 
Egg.—White; round; six to ten in number. May— 
June. Incubation three weeks (Gentry, “Birds of United 
States”). 
Nest Down.—Very pale grey. 
GENUS MERGANSER. 
Seven species are enumerated by Salvadori, who states 
that their range extends from the Palearctic Region to Northern 
India, the Nearctic Region, South-East Brazil, to the Aucklands, 
