STRANGE CREATURES WITH STRANGE VOICES. 105 



his speed did not count for so much. At ordinary 

 times, when the river is low, I have seen this wild 

 duck propel himself noisily through the water with a 

 rapidity that would rival the best effort of a Harvard 

 oarsman. 



On being alarmed the sheldrake utters a melan- 

 choly, hoarse " quonk," usually in the key of C. 



ft His voice is often heard late in 



l (|)'' J J J' J J J* - the afternoon, when with his f el- 

 lows he shyly proceeds upstream 

 in quest of the little fish that abound in the river. 

 He pursues and captures his prey under the water, 

 and, like the loon, dives upon the slightest disturb- 

 ance which occurs near his retreat. 



Merganser serrator is a red-breasted sheldrake, 

 whose white-ringed neck and broad band of rust 

 color on the upper breast, black streaked, distinguish 

 him from the other species, Merganser amerioanus, 

 whose breast is white tinged with salmon. 



A group of sheldrakes on a quiet bit of the river 

 is an interesting gathering to stir up. Occasionally 

 one or two individuals make some passing remark 

 — probably on the possible presence of an observer in 

 the vicinity. The ducks keep a sharp lookout both 

 for fish and men ; suddenly some one springs out of 

 the neighboring thicket with an abrupt shouting and 

 clapping of hands ; instantly the river in the vicinity 



