NATATORES, 



345 



Mr. Peale states this species to be " common on the west coast of 

 America, as far north as visited by the Expedition ; rare on the coast 

 of Cahfornia." This is the Duck alluded to by Mr. Peale in the 

 preceding article as Oidemia fasca. It is different from 0. fusca, of 

 the sea-coasts of Europe, but appears to be the species described by 

 Pallas, as above, and which inhabits the coast of Northeastern Asia, 

 and also of Northwestern America, as appears from the observations 

 of the naturalists of the Exploring Expedition in the Vincennes and 

 Peacock. 



11. Genus MERGUS, Linn. Syst. Nat. I, p. 207 (1766). 



1. Mergus Americanus, Cassin. — The American Merganser. 



The Shelldrake. 



Mvrgus Americanus, Cassin, Proc. Acad. Philad. VI, p. 187 (1852). 

 Mergus merganser Auct. American. 



Wilson, Am. Orn. VIII, Plate LXVIII, fig. 1 ; Aud. B. of Am. 

 Plate CCCXXXI ; oct. ed. VI, Plate CCCCXI. 



Dr. Pickering mentions the occurrence of this species on the coast 

 of Oregon. 



2. Mergus cucullatus, Zmw. — The Hooded Merganser. 



Mergus cucullatus, LiNN. Syst. Nat. I, p. 207 (1766). 

 Mergus fuscus, Lath. Ind. Orn. II, p. 832 (1790). 



Wilson, Am. Orn. VIII, Plate LXIX, fig. 1 ; Aud. B. of Am. Plate 

 CCXXXII; oct. ed. VI, Plate CCCCXIII. 



Relating to this bird, Mr. Peale states : 



" Observed from Puget's Sound on the northwest coast of America 

 to San Francisco, in California. It may be said to be solitary in its 

 habits, not more than a brood usually remaining together. The young 

 is covered with a rather coarse down, of a sepia-brown color above, and 

 white beneath ; the cheeks tawny ; bill green." 



87 



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