THE HOODED MERGANSER. 407 



the large feathers on the shoulders, the scapulars, inner secondaries, and 

 larger wing-coverts, greenish-black. A broad patch of white behind the 

 eye, very conspicuous in the erected crest. Lower part of neck and breast 

 also white, as are the speculum and the central part of the inner secondaries. 

 Sides beautifully marked with undulated transverse lines of yellowish-brown 

 and brownish-black; lower tail-coverts whitish, similarly undulated. 



Length to end of tail 19 inches, to end of wings lGf, to end of claws IS; 

 extent of wings 26; wing from flexure 7-|; tail 4; bill along the ridge l\\, 

 along the edge of lower mandible If; tarsus H, middle toe 1||, its claw %. 

 Weight 1 lb. 7 oz. 



Adult Female. 



The female is much smaller than the male. The crest is smaller and of a 

 looser texture; the feathers of the shoulders not so large; those of the sides 

 shorter and more compact. The bill is brownish-black towards the end and 

 along the ridge, orange towards the base. The upper part of the head, 

 including the crest, yellowish-brown; chin whitish, upper part of neck and 

 sides of the head greyish-brown. The general colour of the back, upper 

 surface of wings, tail, and sides, is blackish-brown, the feathers edged with 

 paler, the edgings of the fore part of the back and shoulders larger and pale 

 greyish-brown; speculum greyish- white; breast and abdomen pale yellowish- 

 brown. 



Length to end of tail 17|- inches, to end of claws 16^; extent of wings 24. 

 Weight 1 lb. 



The young resemble the female. The young males after their first moult 

 still resemble the female, but have the speculum and lower parts pure white. 



