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THE HOODED MERGANSER.
MERGUS CUCULLATUS, LlNN.
PLATE CCXXXII. MALE AND FEMALE.
EXCEPTING the Smew or White Nun, the Hooded Merganser is the
handsomest of its family. Its broad and rounded crest of pure white,
with an edging of jetty black, and which it closes or spreads out at pleasure,
renders the male of this species conspicuous on the waters tô which
it resorts. The activity of its motions, the rapidity of its flight, and its
other habits, contribute to render it a pleasing object to the student of
nature, not less than to the sportsman. Its flesh, however, has a fishy
taste and odour, although it is relished by some persons. It seems to prefer
fresh water, and is by no means very frequent along the sea coast.
Long, narrow, and moderately deep creeks, or small ponds, are more frequented
by it than large rivers or lakes.
On the waters of the Western and Southern States, these Mergansers
are seen to arrive from the north early in October, but generally later
than many species of Ducks, although sooner than either the Red-breasted
Merganser or the Goosander. At the approach of night, a person standing
still on the banks of such a river as the Ohio, first hears the wellknown
sound of wings whistling through the air, presently after, a different
noise, as if produced by an eagle stooping on her prey, when gliding
downwards with the rapidity of an arrow, he dimly perceives the Hooded
Mergansers sweeping past. Five or six, perhaps ten, there are; with
quick beats of their pinions, they fly low over the waters in wide circles.
Now they have spied the entrance of a creek ; there they shoot into it,
and in a few seconds you hear the rushing noise which they make as they
alight on the bosom of the still pool. How often have I enjoyed such
scenes, when enticed abroad by the clear light of the silvery moon, I have
wandered on the shores of la belle rivière, to indulge in the contemplation
of nature !
Up the creek the Mergansers proceed, washing their bodies by short
plunges, and splashing up the water about them. Then they plume themselves,
and anoint their feathers, now and then emitting a low grunting
note of pleasure. And now they dive in search of minnows, which they
HOODED MERGANSER. 247
find in abundance, and which no doubt prove delicious food to the hungry
travellers. At length, having satisfied their appetite, they rise on
wing, fly low over the creek with almost incredible velocity, return to the
broad stream, rove along its margin until they meet with a clean sandbeach,
where they alight, and where, secure from danger, they repose until
the return of day. A sly Racoon may, when in search of mussels,
chance to meet with the sleeping birds, and surprise one of them; but
this rarely happens, for they are as wary and vigilant as their enemy is
cunning, and were the prowler to depend upon Hooded Mergansers for
food, he would be lean enough.
This bird ranges throughout the United States during winter, content
with the food it meets with in the bays and estuaries of the eastern coast,
and on the inland streams. The dam of the Pennsylvania miller is as
agreeable to it as that of the Carolina rice-planter. The Le High and
Brandy-wine Creek have their fishes, as well as the waters of Bear Grass
or Bayou Sara. Nay, the numerous streams and pools of the interior of
the Floridas are resorted to by this species, and there I have found them
full of life and gaiety, as well as on the Missouri, and on our great lakes.
When the weather proves too cold for them they move southwards many
of them removing towards Mexico.
The Hooded Merganser is a most expert diver, and so vigilant that
at times it escapes even from the best percussion gun. As to shooting at
it with a flint lock, you may save yourself the trouble unless you prevent
it from seeing the flash of the pan. If you wound one, never follow it:
the bird, when its strength is almost exhausted, immerses its body, raises
the point of its bill above the surface, and in this manner makes its way
among the plants, until finding some safe retreat along the shore, it betakes
itself to it, and there remains, so that you may search for it in vain,
unless you have a good dog. Even on wing it is not easily shot. If on
a creek ever so narrow, it will fly directly towards its mouth, although
you may be standing knee-deep in the middle. It comes up like a ball,
rises and passes over head with astonishing speed, and if you shoot at it,
do not calculate upon a hit. You may guess how many one may shoot
in a day.
When I removed from Pennsylvania to Kentucky, the Hooded Merganser
was not uncommon in the neighbourhood of Louisville during
summer, and I told WILSON SO. On several occasions I caught the
young with a partridge net; and let me assure you, Reader, that they