4G0 
MER G US MER GA NSER. 
OBSERVATIONS. 
Known by the peculiar stiff tail feathers and short coverts. Distributed in summer from Massachusetts, northward, 
wintering in the South. 
DIMENSIONS. 
Average measurements of specimens from North America. Length, 15-10; stretch, 23 - 25; wing, 5-75; tail, 2'98; bill, 
1*40; tarsus, 175. Longest specimen, 16-00; greatest extent of wing, 21*00; longest wing, 6' 10: tail, 3 35; bill, 1'50; tarsus, 
2'00. Shortest specimen, 14 20; smallest extent of wing, 22-50; shortest wing, 5 40; tail, 2'60; bill, 1*30; tarsus, 1’50. 
HABITS. 
On the marshes of Indian River, are little ponds, as I have before mentioned, varying 
from ten to fifty yards in diameter, and many Ducks gathered in them to feed, but by far 
the most common among them, was the little Ruddy. These birds were not only the most 
abundant but were also much tamer than any other; indeed, it was difficult to force a flock 
to leave a particular pond, even when shot at, as the survivors would merely rise, circle 
about a moment, and then settle down again. They are exceedingly difficult to kill, be¬ 
ing very tenacious of life, and when wounded, dive with the greatest ease, remaining un¬ 
der water for a long time or, like other Ducks, will emerge in the overhanging grass on 
the edge of the water, into which they creep for shelter. I found the Ruddy Ducks also 
very common in Chesapeake Bay and they are not uncommon further north, in New Eng¬ 
land. Mr. Ruthven Deane received some young which were unable to fly, from Cape Cod 
some years since, thus it is probable that a few breed within the State, but the majority 
pass northward to deposit their eggs. I have always found these birds very fat and, con¬ 
trary to the rule with other Ducks, when capture in Florida, proved excellent eating. 
GENUS XVII.’ MERGUS. THE TOOTH-BILLED DUCKS. 
Gen, Ch. Bill, longer than head, very slender, and furnished with horny lamellae, which point backward. Neck, quite 
long. 
Trachea, flattened and dilated in the middle, while the larynx of males is widely expanded and provided with a bony 
frame-work. Head, more or less crested. Sexes, not similar. There are three species within our limits. 
MERGUS MERGANSER. 
Merganser. 
Meryus merganser Linn., Syst. Nat., I; 1766. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Sp. Ch. Form, robust. Size, very large. Color. Adult mate. Head and upper neck all around, anterior back, scap- 
ularies and tertiaries, black, glossed with green on first two and with purplish on the three last. Remainder of back, up¬ 
per tail coverts, and rump, bluish-ash, the last finely banded with white. Primaries and tail, dark-brown, with the latter 
hoary. Secondaries, greater wing coverts, lower neck and entire under parts, white, tinged with creamy on the two first 
and with deep salmon on the last. Upper secondaries, grayish at tip which becomes black on outer edges, while there is a 
black band on thewhite of wing. Iris, red,billand feet, reddish-orange. Adult female. Head and upper neck, reddish- 
brown. Remainder of upper parts, breast, sides, and flanks, bluish-ash with the feathers, especially of breast, edged with 
whitish. Throat, patch on wing, and under parts not described, white, tinged with salmon. Young, similar to female. 
OBSERVATIONS. 
Easily recognized by the large size, white breast, and green gloss on head: the female by the deep red head and neck, 
while the line of demarkation between this color and remainder of body is sharply defined. Distributed, in summer, from 
Pennsylvania, northward; wintering in the South. 
DIMENSIONS. 
Average measurements of specimens from North America. Length, 23 75; stretch, 35-50; wing, 10'35; tail, 4*73; hill, 
1*95; tarsus, P78. Longest specimen, 26'50; greatest extent of wing, 38-00; longest wing, 11'OO; tail, 4‘85; bill, 2-10; tarsus, 
1 85. Shortest specimen, 2P00; smallest extent of wing, 33 - 00; shortest wing, 9-70; tail, 4 - 60; bill, 1"80; tarsus, 1-70. 
DESCRIPTION OF NESTS AND EGGS. 
Nests, placed in holes of trees, composed of grass, weeds, feathers, etc. Eggs, six to ten in number, oval in form 
and pale-buff in color. Dimensions from 1'80 x 2 80 to 1 70x2 50. 
HABITS. 
The Mergansers, or Shell-drakes, are more common in inland waters at all seasons 
