238 MERG0S MERGANSER. 
with, were all males ; and, from the variation in theit | 
colours, it appears evident, that the young birds undergo 
a considerable change of plumage before they arrive | 
their full colours. In some, the white spot behind tb« | 
eye was large, extending irregularly half way down tW I 
neck ; in others, confined to a roundish spot. 
The fiesh of this species is said to be excellent. 
GEMU.S I^XVI—MEliGUS. 
284. MBRairS aiMSGJfFSES , linn, and wilson. — goosashS*' 
WILS. PL. Lxvm. FIG. I. MALE.. — EDINBORGH COLLEGE MCSE®'’' 
This large and handsomely marked bird belongs t*’ * 
genus different from that of the duck, on account of t*** 
particular form and serratures of its bill. The gen‘'* 
IS characterized as folloivs : “ Bill, toothed, slendeb 
cylindrical, hooked at the point; nostrils, small, oVi“ 
placed in the middle of the bill ; feet, four-toed, 1^.! 
outer toe longest.” Naturalists have denominated | 
merganser. In this country, the birds composing 
genus are generally known by the name of fishermf'’' 
or fisher ducks. The whole number of known spec'*^ 
amounts to only nine or ten, dispersed through vario"' 
quarters of the world ; of these, four species, of wbi^ 
the present is the largest, are known to inhabit 1® 
United States. 
From the common habit of these birds in 
almost entirely on fin and shell fish, their fiesh 
in little estimation, being often lean and rancid, hot® 
smelling and tasting strongly of fish ; but such are t®j 
various peculiarities of tastes, that persons are 
wanting who pretend to consider them capital meat- 
Tile goosander, called by some the water pheasa®’ 
and by othere the sheldrake, fisherman, diver, &e. ^ 
winter inhabitant only, of the sea shores, fresh " ‘’tL 
lakes, and rivers of the United States. They usiiaU? 
associate in small parties of six or eight, and are air®®*/ 
continually diving in search of food. In the month 
April they disappear, and return again early in Nov®®* 
feed!®* 
is hsi® 
