365 
parent, and is at least two years before it 
arrives at maturity. 
The female is less in size than the other 
sex, and differs as much in appearance 
from it as any of the foregoing species. 
As we have given Portraits of both sexes, 
and the head of the immature male in the 
change of plumage, it is only necessary to 
observe, that the description given by 
Montagu, Bewick, &c. under the articles 
Minute Merganser, Red-headed Smew, 
and Mergus minutus, ought to be consi- 
dered as relating to the female; and that, 
given by Bewick, under Lough-Diver, to 
the immature male of this species. 
This is by far the most plentiful species 
of the Merganser frequenting our coasts 
and fresh waters in the winter. Their ha- 
bits and manners are like the rest of the 
genus ; fish is their principal food, which 
they eagerly hunt after, both at sea and 
in the fresh w ater lakes, as necessity or 
inclination impels them to visit the one or 
the other. 
END 01' VOL. TWO. 
