GOOSANDER. 
89 
GOOSANDER— MERGUS MERGANSER ^Plate LXVIIL Fig. 1. 
Male. 
L’Harlej^ms. vi. p. 231, 1. pi. 22. — Buff. viii. p. 267, pL 23. — Arct. Zool. 465. 
— Lath. Syn. iii. p. 418. — Leah’s Museum^ No. 2932. 
MERGUS MERGAMSEB.^-hm^mx^.^ 
Goosander, or Alerganser, Mont. Ornith. Diet, and Supp. — Bew. Br. Birds, ii. p. 
254. — Selby's Illust. pi. 67. — Mergus merganser, Bonap. Synop. p. 397. — 
Flem. Br. Anim. p. 128. — -Grande tarle, Temm. Man. d' Ornith. ii. 881. 
This large and handsomely marked bird belongs to a genus 
different from that of the duck, on account of the particular 
* The genus Mergus has been universally allowed. It contains nine or ten 
species, allied in their general form, but easily distinguished by their plumage. 
They are truly aquatic, and never quit the sea or lakes except for a partial re- 
pose or pluming, or during the time of incubation. Their food is entirely fish, 
and they are necessarily expert divers ; the bill is lengthened and narrow, its 
edges regularly serrated with recurved points. The breeding places of many of 
them are yet unknown, but I believe that the greater proportion at that season 
retire inland to the more sequestered lakes. I am also of opinion that the 
male forsakes his mate so soon as she begins to sit, about which time he also 
loses the beautiful crest and plumage in which he is clothed during winter and 
spring, and assumes a duller garb. The males are remarkable for their difference 
from the other sex, whence the long-disputed point, now satisfactorily proved, of 
this and the following bird being different. That of the male is generally black, 
or glossy green, contrasted with the purest white, or rich shades of tawny yellow ; 
that of the females, the chaster grays and browns. Both are furnished with 
crests, composed of loose hackled feathers. 
The distribution of the group seems to be European, and both continents of 
America. I have seen none from India or New Holland, though from the 
former country they might be expected. 
The goosander is a native of both continents, and is said to breed in the northern 
parts of Scotland. This I have had no opportunity of verifying. It is frequent 
during winter on the larger rivers, in flocks of seven or eight, in which there is 
generally only one, or, at most, two adult males — the others being in immature 
dress, or females j thus, the latter is said to be the most common. They fish 
about the bottoms of the streams and pools, and, I believe, destroy many fish. 
