goosander. 
MERGUS MERGANSER. 
In several of the wilder districts of the Highlands the Goosander passes the summer and rears its young, 
remaining, in many instances, throughout the year. The numhers that visit the rivers and estuaries of the 
English coast-line during winter are exceedingly uncertain, varying with the seasons a eontinuation of frost 
not unfrequently causing a general movement towards the south, while in open Aveather scareely a bird is to he 
seen between the Humber and the Channel. 
The Goosander has been recorded by more than one writer as breeding in the Outer Hebrides ; I failed, 
however, to identify the species during my visits to the outer islands, and the nature of the country appears to 
differ considerably from the localities to whieh the bird, for the most part, resorts in summer. 
Throughout many of the wild I’ochy glens in the more remote districts of the Cential Highlands, 
where old and rotten timber, consisting of pine and birch, still exists upon the hill-sides, the adult males 
may be seen in eompany Avith small parties of females and immature birds during Avinter. When vieAved in 
these deep dark gorges, the water, inky black from the shadows thrown by the overhanging pines, rippling 
silently round the stones on Avhich he rests, there is no more attractive bird than the male Goosander, his 
salmon-coloured breast, green liead, and bright red feet being shoAvn off to the fullest advantage hy the gloomy 
character of the surroundings. As late as the end of April I have repeatedly observed males and females, 
adults and immature, still in flocks ; there is, hoAvever, but little difficulty at this season in distinguishing 
those that are paired, as the drake is unremitting in his attentions and seldom strays to any distance from his 
mate. Early in May I remarked that the tloeks, in most instanees, broke up, many of the birds appearing to 
take their departure from the district, pairs only for a time being seen in company. By the end of the month 
the males Avere less frequently noticed, and shortly after that date disappeared entirely, the females being seen 
invariably alone with the broods after leading their doAvny offspring from the hill-sides down to the rivers 
or lochs. At this season the males doubtless undergo their annual change of plumage ; having failed to 
detect them about their inland breeding-quarters or on any of the adjoining lochs, I am of opinion that 
they make their Avay to the saltwater firths, Avhere singly or in small parties they pass the remainder of the 
summer. Early in July 1878 I noticed three birds of this species on the Avaters near the head of the 
Cromarty Eirth; though making no attempt to rise on Aving, they sueeeeded in diving out of range. The 
vieAV obtained Avas too distant to alloAV of aecurately discerning their state of plumage ; the general tint 
of the feathers, hoAvever, appeared similar to that of the females, though one or tAvo exhibited several dark 
patches on the rufous colouring of the head. 
An adult female Avith her half-fledged brood resting quietly in the bright sunshine on the unruffled 
surface of one of the larger lochs presents a sight that Avould doubtless prove puzzling to one unacquainted 
Avith the habits of these singular birds. The female, ever on the alert for the first signs of danger, floats 
motionless Avith her head draAvn back and beak resting on the feathers of the breast, the youngsters by Avhoiii 
