118 
THE HOODED MERGANSER. 
the large feathers on the shoulders, the scapulars, inner secondaries, and 
larger wing-coverts, greenish-black. A broad patch of white behind the 
eye, very conspicuous in the erected crest. Lower part of neck and breast 
also white, as are the speculum and the central part of the inner secondaries. 
Sides beautifully marked with undulated transverse lines of yellowish-brown 
and brownish-black ; lower tail-coverts whitish, similarly undulated. 
Length to end of tail 19 inches, to end of wings 161, to end of claws 18 ; 
extent of wings 26 ; wing from flexure 7§ ; tail 4; bill along the ridge 
1}L along the edge of lower mandible II ; tarsus 1^, middle toe l T n ^, its 
claw i. Weight 1 lb. 7 oz. 
Adult Female. 
The female is much smaller than the male. The crest is smaller and of a 
looser texture ; the feathers of the shoulders not so large ; those of the sides 
shorter and more compact. The bill is brownish-black towards the end and 
along the ridge, orange towards the base. The upper part of the head, 
including the crest, yellowish-brown ; chin whitish, upper part of neck and 
sides of the head greyish-brown. The general colour of the back, upper 
surface of wings, tail, and sides, is blackish-brown, the feathers edged with 
paler, the edgings of the fore part of the back and shoulders larger and pale 
greyish-brown; speculum greyish-white; breast and abdomen pale yellowish- 
brown. 
Length to end of tail 17a inches, to end of claws 16 J ; extent of wings 
24. Weight lib. 
The young resemble the female. The young males after their first moult 
still resemble the female, but have the speculum and lower parts pure 
white. 
