THE BIRD BOOK 
Hooded Merganser 
Mallard 
130. Red-breasted Merganser. Mergus ser- 
c> 
rator 
Range. — North America, breeding from north- 
ern United States northward. 
This species is more abundant than the pre- 
ceding. It is slightly smaller, being 22 inches in 
length, and the male is crested. Found abundant- 
ly in the United States in winter. Breeds com- 
monly in the interior of British America and in 
Labrador and Newfoundland. They make their 
nests on the ground, near the water, concealing 
them under rocks or tufts of grass. The nest is 
made of grasses, leaves and moss and lined with 
feathers. They lay, generally, about ten eggs of 
a buffy or greenish buff color. Size 2.50 x 1.70. 
Data. — Lake Manitoba, N. W. Canada. Two eggs 
in a hollow lined with down, under a patch of rose 
bushes near shore. Collector, Jos. Hamaugh. 
131. Hooded Merganser. 
Lophodytes cucullatus. 
Range. — North America, breeding locally through- 
out its range, in the interior. These are beautiful 
Grayish white 
little Ducks distinguished from all others by the semi-circular, compressed 
crest which is black with an enclosed white area. They make their nests in 
hollow trees, in wooded districts near the water, lining the cavity with 
grasses and down. They lay ten or twelve grayish white eggs. Size 2.15 x 1.70. 
132. Mallard. Anas platyrhynchos. 
Range. — Northern Hemisphere, breeding in America from northern United 
States northward, and wintering south to Panama and the West Indies. 
Contrasting with the preceding Fish Ducks, the Mallards are regarded as 
one of the most esteemed table birds. They feed on mollusks and marine 
insects which they generally reach by tipping in shallow water. They nest in 
many localities in the United States but more abundantly north of our borders. 
They nest in fields in close proximity to ponds or lakes, placing their nests 
of grasses and feathers in the tall grass. In May and June they lay from six 
to ten eggs of a buffy or olive color. Size 2.25 x 1.25. Data. — San Diego, Cali- 
fornia, May 19, 1897. Nest made of grass, lined with down, placed on the edge 
of a field near a pond. 
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