THE RED-BREASTED MERGANSER. 

 Mergus serrator, Linnaeus. 

 Plate 52. 



The Red-breasted Merganser is a winter visitor to the coasts of England, whilst 

 in Scotland and in Ireland it is a resident, breeding on many inland sheets of water 

 as well as by the sea. It is quite a common bird in suitable localities in north- 

 western Scotland as well as in other parts, and I have often seen pairs frequenting 

 Loch Maree in Ross-shire. It inhabits the northern regions of Europe, Asia, and 

 America, ranging more towards the southern parts of those countries in winter. 



The nest, situated among heather or some other thick vegetation, and often 

 concealed in holes among rocks or in river banks, contains from five to ten eggs, 

 in colour yellowish-buff tinged with green. The Red-breasted Merganser is an 

 expert diver, and feeds on different kinds of small fishes, the sand-eel being a 

 favourite when on salt water. 



The harsh guttural cry of this species resembles that of the Goosander, but it 

 is usually a silent bird. 



Macgillivray says : " This bird flies with rapidity, in the manner of a duck, its 

 wings whistling as it speeds along. It is very shy, vigilant, and active, so that 

 the only good chance one has of shooting it on the water is either when it is 

 floating with its head below, or just as it emerges after diving. Its flesh, however, 

 is not in request, being tough, oily, and with what is called a fishy flavour. On 

 ordinary occasions it rises from the water at a very low angle, striking the surface 

 with its feet and wings, but it is able also to spring up directly either from the 

 ground or from the water." 



Like all the members of the genus, the Red-breasted Merganser has a toothed 

 bill, and is hence often called " Saw-bill " by wild fowlers. 



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