BRITISH BIRDS: 
261 
RED-BREASTED MERGANSER. 
{^Mergiis ferrator, Iaxi^—U H ark huppe^ Buff.) 
This bird meafures one foot nine inches in length, 
and two feet feven in breadth, and weighs about 
two pounds. The bill, from the tip to the angles 
of the mouth, is three inches in length, {lender, 
and of a rather roundifh form, and, like thofe of 
the reft of this genus, hooked at the tip, and 
toothed on the edges : the upper mandible is dark 
brown, tinged with green, and edged with red ; 
the lower one wholly red : the irides are deep red : 
the head, long pendent creft, and upper part of 
the neck, are of a glofty violet black, changing 
in different lights to a beautiful gilded green : the 
reft of the neck and belly white : , the breaft nifty 
