The Hooded Merganser 



water so clear that a movement could have been detected at a depth of 

 a hundred and fifty feet. 



The nest of the Red-breasted Merganser has never been reported 

 from California. Conditions are, however, so favorable in the north- 

 western humid belt that we shall not regard this as a closed case. Eggs, 

 if found, would be laid in scantily constructed nests under driftwood, 

 logs or rocks, and always near water. The male deserts his mate as soon 

 as the eggs are laid, and lives a life of lonely and selfish, albeit adventur- 

 ous, ease. In winter the birds are found upon salt water in considerable 

 numbers ; and from the fact that flocks of six or eight are about the aver- 

 age, we judge that family groups remain clustered about their mother 

 until early spring. 



No. 343 



Hooded Merganser 



A. O. U. No. 131. Lophodytes cucullatus (Linnaeus). 



Description. — Adult male: Head with a large compressed semi-circular crest; 

 sides of crest white in large sector, or open-fan-shaped patch; the edge black in a 

 sharply defined border; fore-crown deep brown; remainder of head and neck all around, 

 upperparts, and two transverse crescentic bars on each side invading white of breast, 

 deep brownish black (coal black on lower scapulars) ; lesser and middle wing-coverts 

 ashy gray; speculum and tips of greater coverts white; two small transverse black 

 bars formed by exposed bases of greater coverts and of secondaries; inner secondaries 

 and tertials white, heavily bordered with black; sides pale to rich cinnamon-rufous, 

 wavy-barred with dusky. Bill comparatively short, narrow, black; nostril barely 

 within basal third (measured from anterior margin of loral feathering); feet light 

 brown; eyes yellow. Adult female: Head, neck, fore-breast, sides of breast and sides 

 dull grayish brown; the crest much thinner than in male, entirely cinnamon-brown; 

 upperparts deep brown, blackening on lower scapulars; wings the same with traces 

 of white on edges of speculum; lower breast and belly white, shaded with brownish on 

 crissum. Bill dusky, orange at base and on lower mandible. Immature: Similar to 

 adult female, but crest undeveloped. Length 431.8-482.6 (17. 00-19. 00) ; av - of fi ve 

 males: wing 193.8 (7.63); tail 91.4 (3.60); bill 39.6 (1.56); tarsus 32.5 (1.28). Females 

 average somewhat smaller. 



Recognition Marks. — Larger than a Teal; very conspicuously round-crested. 

 The male even at a superficial glance could be confused only with a Buffiehead (Ckari- 

 tonetta albeola). It differs from it in that the white of crest does not come to the 

 edge; and, of course, in its entirely different bill. On more quiet waters, — ponds and 

 sluggish streams. 



Nesting. — Nest: In a hole of tree or stump, usually near water, lined with 

 grasses, etc., and feathers. Eggs: 10 to 12, sometimes more; pale buffy white or 

 ivory yellow. Av. size 53.3 x 44.5 (2.10 x 1.75). Season: c. May 1st; one brood. 



1749 



