THE MERGANSERS. 
(n 
Goosander points it out at once as one of the few species of 
wliich breed in holes, those which breed in the open 
aving always dark down. The favourite nesting-place of the 
'goosander is in a hollow tree-trunk, but in localities where 
®uch sites are not plentiful, it shows considerable fertility of re- 
source and capability of adaptation to circumstances in choos- 
’*ig the best substitute. On these occasions, however, it often 
displays more wit than wisdom. As the House-Martin has 
discovered that under the eaves of a roof a better shelter for 
ds nest is to be found than under an overhanging cliff, so the 
Goosander immediately avails itself of the wooden boxes 
which the Finns fasten up in the trees to tempt them. These 
boxes, or “holkar,” are made with a trap door behind, so that 
the peasant may daily rob the nest, and thus make the too- 
confiding bird lay a score or more eggs before the wary man 
thinks it prudent to cease his depredations, and allow the 
Goosander to sit upon the rest for fe.ar of spoiling his next 
ye.ar’s harvest. If these boxes be not provided, and no hollow 
trees are available, the Goosander finds a hole under a rock or 
a cleft in the cliff, and has been known to utilise the old nest 
of a crow or bird of prey in a tree or the top of a pollard- 
willosv.” 
Eggs. — From eight to twelve in number, of a creamy-buff 
colour. Axis, 2 5-2 '9 inches ; diam., I'S-i'g. 
Down. — Pale grey. 
II. THE RED-BREASTED MERGANSER. MERGANSER SERRATOR. 
Mergtts serrator, Linn. Syst. Nat. i. p. 208 (1766); Dresser, 
B. Eur. vi. p. 693, pi. 453 (1874) ; B. 0. U. List Br. B. 
p. 136 (1883); Seebohm, Br. 15. iii. p. 629 (1885); 
Saunders, ed. Yarr. Br. B. p. 494 (1885); id. Man. Br. 
B. p. 461 (1889); Lilford, Col. Fig. Br. B. part .\xi. 
(1892); Salvad. Cat. B. Brit. Mus. xxvii. p. 479 (1895). 
Merganser serrator, Macg. Brit. B. v. p. 216 (1852). 
{Plate LXIV.) 
Adult Male. — General colour above black over the mantle, 
back, and scapulars, the outer of which are white, forming 
a broad longitudinal band down each side of the back ; lower 
back, rump, and upper tail-coverts ashy-grey, densely freckled 
