exceedingly common at that season in many parts of
the tideless Mediterranean and on the Lake of Geneva;
it is, however, not so frequent' a cold-weather visitor to
the inland waters of our own country as the Goosander.
The Merganser is known by many names in the
British Islands, perhaps its most common designations
on the English coasts are “ Saw-Bill,” “ Jack-Saw,” and
“ Jackawake.” “ Dundiver ” is also occasionally applied*
to the females and young birds, but more commonly to
those of the Goosander. In the part of Ireland to
which I have above alluded the present species was generally
known as “ Skeld-Duck; ” but in the north of
that country “ Scale-Duck ” is the usual rendering. I
believe that both of these latter are forms of “ Sheld-
Duck,”—a misapplication of name not confined to
feathered bipeds in the “ Sister Island.” The " Merganser,
as I believe, feeds entirely upon small fishes
obtained by diving. It is a wary bird in the winter
season, although in the summer it will sometimes allow
of the close approach of a boat; its powers of concealment,
both in the water and ashore, are wonderful;
it is a swift and powerful flyer, but has a marked
objection to travelling over the land. I do not recollect
ever to have heard any cry or call uttered by the
present species. I have not been able hitherto to keep
a Merganser alive in confinement for more than a few
days; but I must admit that I have not had more
than two or «three opportunities of trying to do so.