G O O S A N D E R .
MERGVS MERGANSER.
IN 5pvcr.il of the wilder districts of the nigh lands the Goosander passe* the wimmor and rears its young,
remaining, in many Inataneee, throughout the year. The numbers that visit the riven and eetuartea of the
English coast-line daring winter arc exceedingly uncertain, varying with the seasons—a continuation of frost
not uufrequonlly causing a general movement towards the south, while in open weather scarcely a bird is to be
seen between the Humher and the Channel.
The Goosander has been recorded by more than one writer ns breeding in the Outer Hebrides ; I failed,
however, to identify the species during my visits to the outer islands, and the nature of the country appears to
differ considerably from the localities to which the bird, for the must part, resorts in summer.
Througbout many of the wild rocky glens in the more remote districts of the Central Highlands,
where old and rotten timber, consisting of pine and birch, still exists upon the hill-sides, the adult males
may he seen in company with small parties of females and immature birds during winter. When viewed in
these deep dark gorges, the water, inky black from the shadows thrown by the overhanging pines, rippling
silently round the stones on which he rests, there is no more attractive bird than the male Goosander, his
salmon-coloured breast, green head, and bright red feet being shown off to the fullest advantage by the gloomy
character or the surroundings. As late as the end or April I have repeatedly observed males'and females,
adults and immature, still in flocks; there is, however, hut little difficulty at this season in distinguishing
those that are paired, as the drake Is unremitting in his attentions and seldom strays to any distance frum his
mate. Early in May I remarked that the flocks, in most instances, broke up, many of the birds appearing to
take their departure from the district, pairs only for a time being seen in company. By the end or the month
the males were less frequently noticed, and shortly after that date disappeared entirely, the females being seen
invariably alone with the broods after leading their downy offspring from the hill-sides down to the rivers
or lochs. At this season the males doubtless undergo their annual change of plumage; having failed to
detect them about their inland breeding-quarters or on any of the adjoining lochs, I am of opinion that
they make their way to the saltwater firths, where singly or in small parties they pass the remainder of the
summer. Early in July 1878 I noticed three birds of this species on the waters near the head of tiro
Cromarty Firth; though making no attempt to rise on wing, they succeeded in diving out of range. Tho
view obtained was too distant to allow of accurately discerning their state of plumage; tho general tint
of the leathers, however, appeared similar to that of the females, though one or two exhibited several dark
patches on the rufous colouring of the head.
An adult female with her half-Hedged brood resting quietly in the bright sunshine on the unruffled
surlure of one of the larger lochs presents a sight that would doubtless prove puzzling to one unacquainted
with tho habits or these singular birds. The female, ever on the alert for the first signs of danger, Uoats
molionless with her head drawn hack and beak resting on the feathers of the breast, the youngsters by whom