COMMON M E R G A N S E R .
COMMON, OE EED-BEEASTED MEEGANSEE.
MERGUS SERRATOR, Linn.
Mergus serrator, Linn. S. N. i. p. 208 (1766); Naum. xii.
p. 333; Hewitson, ii. p. 437; Yarr. ed. 4, iv. p. 494;
Dresser, vi. p. 693.
Merganser serrator, Macg. v. p. 216.
Le Harle huppe, French; Mittlerer Säger, German; Pato
de sierra, Serreta, Spanish.
This bird is not uncommon during the autumn and
winter months on most parts of our coasts, and breeds
in considerable numbers in certain districts of Scotland
and Ireland. The nest of the Merganser is generally
placed in thick covert on the shores or islands of freshwater
lakes and rivers, often amongst rocks and stones
overgrowm and interspersed with heather, brambles, or
rushes, and, as I have been informed, occasionally in a
disused rabbits’ burrow. The eggs, which vary in
complement from seven to ten, are of a drab-green
colour, and are usually hatched out about the beginning
of July. My own acquaintance with this species in
summer is entirely confined to some lakes in the west
of Ireland; but in winter I have observed it on almost
every tidal estuary that I have visited. It is also