THE AMERICAN MERGANSERS 29 
burnished metal, and the creamy white of their long 
necks and full shoulders showing in varying outlines* 
Such a profusion of white in the bright glow of a 
lengthening day is a conspicuous reminder of the 
return of spring. 
The leader of this small advance guard was attended 
by two sombrely attired females following faithfully 
in close alignment. He looked suspiciously at the 
open water in the marsh, where many noisy Gulls 
had congregated, but was not inclined to alight. As 
he turned toward the open water of the lake, passing 
low over the sandbar, the faint red glow of his breast 
seemed a reflection from the sun's rays struggling 
through the clouds rather than an actual tint in the 
shield of white. Out over the lake the rapidly 
diminishing forms of the trio showed the speed of 
their retreat, but their course was a great circle, which 
brought them again to the open water of the bay* 
The detour had given them confidence, for they 
settled easily to the surface, checking their speed 
with expanded wing and trailing, splashing feet. There 
must be concerted action or a wide response to local 
attraction among the migrants. The three were 
scarcely settled in the water when three more, all 
males in full plumage, came along the eastern shore 
line in earnest haste. With scarcely a hesitating curve 
they pitched down beside the earlier arrivals. These 
Mergansers are uncertain migrants, and seem more 
