364 
SWIMMERS. 
passed the rest of the summer. At Hudson Bay, where these 
birds arrive about the end of May, they arc said to nest close 
to the borders of lakes. 'I'he young are at first yellowish, and 
begin to fly in July. The Hairy Head, as this species is some- 
times called, is rarely seen but in fresh waters and lakes, ap- 
proaching the sea only in winter, when its favorite haunts are 
blocked up with ice. It delights in the woody interior, and 
traces its way up still creeks, and sometimes visits the mill- 
ponds, perpetually diving for small fish and insects in the 
manner of the Red-breasted Merganser. In the course of the 
winter it migrates as far south as Mexico, is very common 
throughout the whole winter in the Mississipi, and is rendered 
very conspicuous by the high circular and party-colored crest 
which so gracefully crowns the top of the head. 
The Hooded Merganser ranges throughout North America, 
breeding from about latitude 45° to the vicinity of the Arctic Circle, 
and wintering from Massachusetts (sparingly) to the Southern 
States. It is rather common as a spring and fall migrant in New 
England and adjacent provinces, but breeds in numbers in the 
northern portions of Ontailo and in Manitoba. 
Note. — The Kufous-cre.sted Duck {Netta ruji/ia), from Eu- 
rope, has been taken near New York. One example of Steller’s 
Duck {Eniconctta steUeri), a North Pacific species, has also wan- 
dered from its usual habitat and been captured in Greenland. 
The Masked Duck {Nomojiyx do?>ii!ticus), a tropical bird, 
occurs occasionally on the lakes of the interior, but cannot be 
regarded as more than a straggler. 
AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN. 
Pi.ECANUS ERYTIIRORHYNCITOS. 
Char. General color white, the breast and nape washed with pale 
yellow; wings mostly black; bill long, the lower mandible connected 
with a larger gular sac; bill and sac reddish in life, but fading to yellow- 
ish after death ; legs and feet orange. Length about 5 feet. 
Nest. Usually on the beach of an island in a large lake, — a loosely 
built structure of twigs on the top of a mound of gravel and sand. 
t-4 (usually 2) ; white, with a rough chalk-like surface ; 3.35 X 
2.20. 
