60 



GAME BIRDS, WILD-FOWL AND SHORE BIRDS. 



MERGANSER {Mergus americanus). 



Common or local New England names: Sheldrake; Pond Sheldrake; Freshwater 

 Sheldrake; Break Horn; Winter Sheldrake (Maine and New Hampshire) ; Buff- 

 breasted Merganser; Goosander. 



Female. 



Male. 



Length. — 23 to 27 inches. 



Adult Male. — Head and upper neck glossy dark green (appearing black 

 at a distance); scarcely crested; middle of back black; rump and tail 

 gray; most of neck, sides of upper back and entire under parts white 

 (tinged below with light buff or salmon); wings white, showing black 

 quill feathers and a black bar when spread; bill red with black ridge, 

 and feet red; iris carmine. 



Adult Female and Young. — Much smaller than male; chin and throat 

 white; rest of head and neck, with a long single crest on hind head, 

 reddish brown; most of upper parts, sides and tail gray; wings largely 

 black, with a white patch; below white, sometimes with slight salmon 

 tinge; bill reddish brown; feet reddish orange; iris yellowish. 



Field Marks. — Mainly in fresh water. The largest of the Sheldrakes. 

 Male appears black and white at a distance; the head very slightly 

 crested in male; more so in female, but without the elongated double 

 crest of the Red-breasted Merganser. 



