438 NORTHERN ZOOLOGY. 



Oidemice, remaining in the north as long- as it can find open water, and assembling 

 in very large flocks previous to migrating. It halts, during its progress south- 

 wards, both on the shores of Hudson's Bay and in the inland lakes, and is one 

 of the last of the birds of passage which quits the fur-countries. In the latter 

 end of August, when a thin crust of ice forms during the night on the Arctic Sea, 

 the female may be often seen breaking a way with her wings for her young brood. 

 This bird, the " Caccawee " of the Canadians, is the most noisy of all the Ducks. 



MERGANIN^. Swains. 

 Genus, Mergus. 



The Mergansers feed on fish and fresh-water crustacege. They pass most 

 of their time in the water, swim quickly with the body immersed, withdraw 

 their head under the surface immediately on the appearance of danger, and dive 

 for a long time. They also fly long and quickly, but walk badly. 



Distribution. — Mergus merganser, serrator, and cucullatus frequent the lakes 

 and rivers in all parts of the fur-countries. They make their nests of withered 

 grass and feathers, in unfrequented places ; and are amongst the latest of the 

 Anatidce that migrate southwards. — Note. The Mergus albellus did not come 

 under our notice. 



ANSERINE. Swains. 

 Gen. Cygnus, Anser. 



The Swans frequent fresh-waters, on which they swim with great swiftness and 

 much elegance, aiding themselves by raising their wings when going before the 

 wind. If attacked when swimming, they strike severely with their wings. They 

 walk badly ; but fly high, and seldom alight except in the water. They feed on 

 the roots of aquatic plants, frogs, and small fry. Their nest is generally placed 

 on a small island, and is constructed of any loose materials that happen to be in 

 the immediate vicinity, heaped together until they form a large mound. They 

 are shy birds, and so difficult of approach, that the Indians generally kill them 

 at a long shot with ball. 



Distribution. — Cygnus buccinator arrives in the spring some days before the 

 Geese, and remains later in the season. It breeds in the interior, between the 

 sixtieth and sixty-eighth parallels. — Cygnus Bewickii arrives after the Geese, 

 and breeds on the small lakes of the coasts and islands of the Arctic Sea. 

 Some flocks of it cross the interior in their migrations ; but greater numbers 

 follow the coast line of Hudson's Bay. 



The Geese feed on vegetable substances, pasturing during the day, and retiring 

 in the night to repose on the water. They swim well, but dive only when 

 moulting and unable to fly ; if pursued at such times, they leave the water and 



