THE PIED SMEW. 
243 
differs from tlie Mergansers in having the bill so much 
shorter and broader as to resemble a Duck. For this, and 
some other reasons which we need not adduce, it has been 
placed in a distinct genus, called Mergus^ of which it is at 
present the sole representative. It is a very beautiful and 
remarkable-looking bird, about seventeen inches in length, 
with a long, decurved white crest, a patch of greenish black 
on the fore part of the cheek, and a band of the same along 
the side of the occiput, or hinder part of the head, giving 
something the appearance of a hood, hence the name White 
SM^IW. 
Nun applied to this species, whose back is black, shaded 
with grey; neck, shoulders, and under parts pure white, 
which is the prevailing hue of the whole plumage. 
This bird is said to be a native of the arctic regions of 
both continents, but of much rarer occurrence in America 
than in Europe. It visits chiefly the eastern and southern 
parts of Britain, being very rare north of the Humber. 
Montagu describes it as ^ by far the most plentiful species 
of Mergansers that frequent our (southern) coasts and fresh 
w^aters in the winter, but, we believe, it has never been 
known to breed in this country. It is naturally shy, and 
readily takes wing, being as expert in air as it is in water, 
where, indeed, if surprised, it is with great difficulty shot, 
by reason of its incessant diving. At the time of writiDg 
Q 2 
