eating
birds. Therefore their flesh is unpalatable and they are known as "Fish
Ducks." They are also sometimes called "Sawbills" because of the
teeth-like serration on both the upper and the under mandibles. Unlike
the other species of ducks, their bills are long, slender and rounded
instead of being broad and flat; it is also hooked at the tip. Like the
Cormorants, they often pursue and catch fish under the water, their
teeth-like bills enabling them to firmly hold their prey.

The American Mergansers, Goosanders, or Sheldrakes, as they are often
called, are found both on the coast and in the interior. Except in
certain mountainous regions, they breed chiefly north of the United
States. The male bird has no crest and the head is a beautiful green,
while the female has a reddish brown crest and head, shading to white on
the chin. They build their nest in hollow trees near the water. It is
made of grasses, leaves and moss and is lined with feathers from the
breast of the female. During May, they lay from six to ten eggs of a
creamy or buff color. Size 2.70 x 1.75. Data.--Gun Is., Lake Winnipeg.
June 16, 1903. Eleven eggs in a nest of white down, located between two
large boulders. Collector, Walter Raine.

[Illustration 089: Brownish buff.]
[Illustration: American Merganser. Red-breasted Merganser.]
[Illustration: right hand margin.]

Page 88

130. RED-BREASTED MERGANSER. _Mergus serrator._

Range.--North America, breeding from northern United States northward.

This species is more abundant than the preceding. It is slightly
smaller, being 22 inches in length, and the male is crested. Found
abundantly in the United States in winter. Breeds commonly in the
interior of British America and in Labrador and Newfoundland. They make
their nests on the ground, near the water, concealing them under rocks
or tufts of grass. The nest is made of grasses, leaves and moss and
lined with feathers. They lay, generally, about ten eggs of a buffy or
greenish buff color. Size 2.50 x 1.70. Data.--Lake Manitoba, N. W.
Canada. Two eggs in a hollow lined with down, under a patch of rose
bushes near shore. Collector, Jos. Hamaugh.

131. HOODED MERGANSER. _Lophodytes cucullatus._

Range.--North America, breeding locally throughout its range, in the
interior. These are beautiful little Ducks distinguished from all others
by the semi-circular, compressed crest which is black with an enclosed
white area. They make their nests in hollow