HOODED MEEGANSER. 
275 
Avhite; the black on the back curves handsomely round in two 
points on the breast, which, with the whole lower parts are 
pure white; sides under the wings and flanks reddish brown, 
beautifully crossed with parallel lines of black; tail pointed, 
consisting of twenty feathers of a sooty brown; legs and feet 
flesh coloured; claws large and stout. The windpipe has a small 
labyrinth. 
The female is rather less, the crest smaller and of a light rust 
or dull ferruginous colour, entirely destitue of the white; the 
upper half of the neck a dull drab, with semicircles of lighter, 
the white on the wings is the same as in the male; but the ter- 
tials are shorter and have less white; the back is blackish brown; 
the rest of the plumage corresponds very nearly with the male. 
This species is peculiar to America; is said to arrive at Hud- 
son’s Bay about the end of May; builds close to the lakes; the 
nest is composed of grass lined with feathers from the breast; is 
said to lay six white eggs. The young are yellow, and fit to fly 
in July.* 
Hutchins, as quoted by Latham. 
