240 
BUFF-BREASTED GOOSANDER. 
are a dark glossy green; the lower neck, breast, and 
abdomen a pinkish buff colour ; the rest of the plumage 
black, grey, and white. 
The Goosander, or Buff-breasted Merganser, which is widely dis- 
persed, in summer, over the northern regions of both continents, is 
at that season very seldom met with in Britain, and that only in the 
remotest parts and islands of Scotland. The number of individuals 
there seen is very much inferior to that of the Red-breasted Mer- 
gansers. In the outer Hebrides, where I resided several years, 
although I have several times met with them on the lakes in summer, 
I never found a nest ; but Mr. John Macgillivray, who visited these 
islands in the summer of 1840, was more fortunate, or more obser- 
vant, for he found it pretty common, breeding by the larger lakes, 
and occasionally by the sea, as near Loch Maddy, in North Uist. 
In Orkney, on the other hand, it is only a winter visitant, leaving 
very early in spring. In winter it is met with sparingly in all parts 
of Scotland, as well as in many districts in England, in the southern 
parts of which it is, however, of A'ery rare occurrence. In Ireland 
also, it occurs * in very limited numbers.' At all seasons it prefers 
lakes and rivers to estuaries, hxil may be seen, even in summer, 
fishing in the sea, especially in the lochs or indentations so common 
in Scotland. Being a heavy bird, with the body much depressed, 
and the plumage not remarkably full, it has the appearance of sitting 
deep in the water. It dives with extreme agility, remains long under 
the surface, and swims there with great speed. Its food consists of 
fishes of various kinds, but with us more especially trouts, of which 
eighteen were found in the gullet of one found on the Tweed in the 
winter of 1838. Being shy, vigilant, and active, it is not easily ob- 
tained, as it neither admits of a near approach, nor usually remains 
above water until the shot reaches it. In rising on wing, it proceeds 
at a low angle, striking the water with its feet or wings to the dis- 
tance of several yards. Its flight is rapid, like that of a Duck, and 
performed at a considerable height, when it is travelling toward a 
distant place. The male emits a rough grunting cry, which, how- 
ever, is very seldom heard. In the northern estuaries or bays, pretty 
large flocks are sometimes seen; but it is much more common to 
meet with the bird in pairs, or even singly, in most parts of the 
country. Although not very unfrequently seen in our markets, it is 
not there held in estimation, its flesh being coarse, and having 
the fishy flavour of that of the Divers and Cormorants, to which the 
Mergansers are allied in their mode of living. 
The nest is said to be placed near the water, among the herbage, 
and to be composed of dry grass, sedge, fibrous roots, and other 
similar materials, with a lining of down plucked by the female from 
her breast. As observed by him in America, it is described by IVIr. 
Audubon as being * very large, at times raised seven or eight inches 
