82 
Field Marks. Like the preceding species except for — in adult male — presence of crest, 
immaculate white or pink underbody, dark breast Land, and less white on sides, flank, and 
wings. In flight, smaller amount of white on bend of wing and outer scapulars. It is 
questionable whether females can be distinguished in life with certainty from the previous 
species. The paler red of the head, its gradual blending into the lower neck and body colour, 
and the lack of decided white throat patch are suggestive but not determinative. 
Nesting. On ground near water, sometimes in trees. 
Distribution. More or less common throughout Canada, nesting north to Arctic 
coast. 
In general habits similar to the preceding, but more often seen on the 
larger waters and comparatively rare on small streams and pools. 
131. Hooded Merganser. Lophodytes cucullatus. L, 17*50. The smallest of our 
Mergansers. The male is a most striking bird with great black and white "hood” and rich 
chestnut flanks. The distinctive hood is a flat, disk- 
bke crest, coloured pure white with a narrow black 
edge that rises from the forehead, makes a wide, 
circular arch over the head, and meets the neck at 
the nape. The female is much duller coloured, 
with brownish-fuscous body, lighter below, and 
with a thin, reddish-brown crest (Figure 115). 
Distinctions. The male is unlike any other bird 
on the continent. The female can always be dis- 
tinguished by small size for its subfamily, and its 
entirely different coloration from other Mergansers 
in Canada. 
Field Marks. The male with its strong black 
and white coloration and big hood is easily recog- 
nizable. The female and juvenile male are small, 
dull-coloured Ducks with thin crests. In flight, the 
contrasting black and white lanceolate striping of 
the tertials falling over the base of the wing can 
often be recognized. 
Nesting. In hollow trees. 
Distribution. More or less common over all of Canada, north to tree limit. It 
probably nests wherever it can find, suitable timber. 
The Hooded Merganser is a bird of quiet ponds and woodland pools. 
It is the most edible of the Mergansers, which fact, as well as the clearing 
of the timber, and its nesting in easily accessible localities, has probably 
reduced its numbers. 
Economic Status. It is doubtful if any serious charge can be proved 
against this little Merganser. Its chosen haunts are not those of game or 
food fish, and it probably consumes a smaller proportion of fish than either 
of its larger relatives. 
Subfamily — Anatinae. River and Pond Ducks 
General Description. Typical Ducks with flattened spatulate bills, furnished with 
flat nail tip and straining laminae or plates along the inner margins (Figure 8, page 24) 
instead of tooth-like projections (Figuie 7, page 24). Feet with a small though well- 
formed hind toe, not modified into a flat lobe or fin-like appendage. (Figure 116). 
Distinctions. The bill will separate the River Ducks from the Mergansers; and the 
hind toe as above from the Sea Ducks. 
Field Marks. Under favourable conditions the general outline, rounded head, and 
shorter, thicker bill will separate these, and the Sea or Bay Ducks, from the Mergansers. 
They rise more steeply from the water than either. When under way, the neck is inclined 
slightly upward from the body, and they lack the drawn-out appearance of the Mergansers. 
The flock formation is usually irregular with little order or alignment. They are more 
Figure 115 
Hooded Merganser; scale \. 
Male. Female. 
