ORNAMENTAL WATERFOWL. 245 
in the Pacific Ocean. They are M. castor, M. comatus, M. 
americanus, M. squamatus, M. serrator, M. australis, M. 
brasihanus. 
They frequent both inland waters and the sea-coast, 
flying rapidly and diving from great heights into deep water. 
The note is loud and harsh, often uttered as they fly around 
their nesting places, which are of the rudest description, often 
in a depression of a rock, or in a hollow scooped in the bare 
earth. They subsist principally upon fish with crustaceans 
and molluscs, and are said to pair for life. 
COMMON MERGANSER OR GOOSANDER. 
(Merganser castor. Mergus merganser). 
These striking birds, larger in size than the Common 
Wild Duck, may be seen on our north-east coasts in small 
flocks during hard weather, but are certainly to be reckoned 
among the rarer of our winter visitants. They breed in the 
Northern latitudes, and migrate southward during the winter. 
They feed exclusively upon fish, the structure of the bill 
explaining the ease with which they procure it, the upper and 
lower mandibles being furnished with strong, saw-like teeth, 
curving inwards. They are usually to be seen engaged in 
fishing on the inland lakes and rivers, as well as in the tidal 
harbours where the water is brackish, diving with great rapidity 
when disturbed. A common and appropriate name is the 
“ Saw-bill.” These birds construct their nests not only upon 
the ground, but in the hollows of trees, employing dried grasses, 
moss, leaves, and small twigs, lining the interior with down. 
The Goosander lays from seven to twelve greyish, or greyish- 
white, eggs, which are incubated for a period of from twenty- 
three to twenty-five days, during which time the male bird 
remains in the vicinity of his mate. The males undergo a 
