G O O S A N D E R .
Mergus merganser, Linn.
GOOSANDER
MERGUS MERGANSER, Linn.
Mergus merganser, Linn. S. N. i. p. 208 (1766); Naum. xii.
p. 356; Hewitson, ii. p. 439; Yarr. ed. 4, iv. p. 488;
Dresser, vi. p. 685.
Meganser castor, Macg. v. p. 207.
Grand Harle, French; Grosser Säger, German; Bech de
Serra gran, Valencia.
This is a species with which I have only a winter,
and, generally speaking, distant acquaintance in a wild
state, though I have been fortunate enough to keep a
few pinioned Goosanders through two moults upon our
ponds at Lilford. Although of late years this beautiful
bird has been found breeding in various parts of the
Scottish Highlands, it is best known as a winter visitor
in England, and, in my experience, is of much more
frequent occurrence on inland waters than its close congener
the Red-breasted or Common Merganser, though
the latter is by far the more abundant species of the two
in the British Islands.
The Goosander is a wary bird, at least during its
winter visits to the waters with which I am best
acquainted, but does not seem to me to be up to so