﻿RED-BREASTED MERGANSER. 183 



coverts hoary ash like the back. The primaries and their 

 coverts dark sepia, outer webs black ; secondaries and their 

 coverts the same, except six in each row, broadly tipped with 

 white, forming a speculum, which, when closed, has a dark 

 wedge-shaped mark across it, The under surface of the 

 wings ash and white mottled ; flanks and under tail-coverts 

 ash ; under plumage from neck to vent dull white. Legs and 

 toes dull orange ; joints tinged with dusky ; webs dusky 

 grey. 



This individual belonged to a flock of thirty-four that 

 flew over : the birds flew with their heads drawn back be- 

 tween their shoulders, not extended as in wild ducks. 



The egg figured 269 is that of the Red-breasted Mer- 

 ganser. 



