MERGANSER. 423 



Having faid thus much, there is no way to reconcile the pre- 

 fent opinion of authors, but by fuppofing the -pojJihiUty of the 

 young birds of both fexes retaining the female plumage for a cer- 

 tain number of years, before they attain that of the male, as is the 

 cafe in fome birds : but in allowing this circumftance, we mufb 

 fuppofe them likewife capable of propagating their fpecies ; 

 which, if true, is not very ufual in animals before they arrive at 

 maturity. 



We have been led to this digreffion from a defire of future 

 information -, and efpecially if any with the plumage of the 

 Goofander be females. This is to be gained only from repeated 

 obfervations, aided by the unerring guide of diffecHon j a cir- 

 cumftance hitherto not attended to in the manner neceflary to 

 fuch enquiries. 



Mergus ferrator, Lin. Syft. i. p. 208. 3. — Faun. Suec. p. 136. — Brun. N° 96. 3. 



—Mulkr, N° 134.— Georgi Rei/e, p. 169. -f-RED-BREAST- 



Mergus albellus, Scop. Ann. i. N° 89. 

 L'Harle huppe, Brif. Orn. vi. p. 237. 2. pi. 23. — Buf. Oif. viii. p. 273.— 



PL Enl. 207. 

 Red-breafled Goofander, Ediu. pi. 95. — Alhin, ii. pi. 101. 

 Mergus criftatus capite caftaneo, &c. Kram. EL p. 343. 2. (female.) 

 - cirratus fufcus, Rait Sj/n. p. 135. A. 4. — Will. Orn. p. 336. (Mer~ 



gas cirratus minor) pi. 64. (female.) 

 Red-breafted Goofandeis, N° 261. pi. 93. (male and female.) 

 Br. Muf. Lev. Muf. 



ENGTH one foot nine inches: breadth two feet feven : Description.. 

 weight two pounds. The bill is three inches long; the 

 upper mandible dufky; the lower red : irides purplifh red : the 

 head, and part of the neck, are black gloffed with green : the 



feathers 



