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the edges of the two mandibles toothed 
like a saw, the teeth pointing backwards. 
Nostrils lateral, near the middle of the 
bill, elliptical, longitudinal, pervious. 
Legs short; the three front toes entirely 
webbed, hind toe unconnected, articulated 
upon the tarsus, having a rudiment of a 
membrane. Wings moderate, the first 
quill the same length as the second or 
rather shorter/' 
Mergansers resemble very much the 
duck tribe, they live upon the waters, on 
which they often swim with the whole 
body submerged, and only the head above 
water ; they dive frequently and with faci- 
lity and swim under water with great 
agility, making use of their wings to assist 
their motion ; they fly swiftly and continue 
long on the wing. Their food consists 
principally of fish and amphibious animals; 
to the first of these they are very destruc- 
tive. The young males are like the old 
females* 
