. . side or back while afloat,exposing its white under parts, while engaged in dressing orpreening the plumage. This species migrates mainly alongthe coast in autumn, but as it is not so commonly seen therein spring, some portion of the flight may go north through theinterior. Its habits are similar to those of the common Loon. It isperhaps equally diflicult to shoot on the water. When sur-prised on land it seeks to escape by a series of hops or leaps,using both wings and feet. Mergansers (Subfamily Merginae). The Ducks, Geese and Sw
. . side or back while afloat,exposing its white under parts, while engaged in dressing orpreening the plumage. This species migrates mainly alongthe coast in autumn, but as it is not so commonly seen therein spring, some portion of the flight may go north through theinterior. Its habits are similar to those of the common Loon. It isperhaps equally diflicult to shoot on the water. When sur-prised on land it seeks to escape by a series of hops or leaps,using both wings and feet. Mergansers (Subfamily Merginae). The Ducks, Geese and Swans comprise the family Anatidce,which includes five subfamilies, the Mergansers, the RiverDucks, the Sea Ducks, the Geese and the Swans. In the planof classification adopted by the American Ornithologists Union,the Mergansers or Sheldrakes come first. They are muchhunted, though not regarded highly as game. This family of > Phillips, John C: Auk, 1911, p. 197. s Eaton, Elon Howard: Birds of New York, 1909, Vol. I, p. 104. BIRDS HUNTED FOR FOOD OR SPORT. 59. Fig. 3. —■ Bill of Jlerganser. diving and fish-eating Ducks has the bill constructed especiallyfor seizing and holding its slippery prey. The bill is long, slim,rather rounded, with a hooked nail at the end, and its upperpart is provided withmany tooth-like proc-esses projecting back-ward, like the teeth ofa shark (Fig. 3). TheseDucks otherwise some-what resemble the Loons, except that their feet are not so farback and their heads are usually crested. The hind toe hasa flap or lobe, and the feet are broadly webbed, as in all SeaDucks (see Fig. 6 on page 111). They are noted for theirstrength, vitality and diving power. The Mergansers are commonly known as Sheldrakes. Agood field glass or telescope will enable the observer to dis-tinguish them from all other Ducks, at a considerable distance,by the long slim bill and the (usually) crested head. Theyall show a greater or less white patch on the wing in flight,and shoul
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