262 G008ANDER.
The Goosander is a vigorous anil robust bird. It swims deeply,
but with considerable spefdj.'elpn against a strong current, running
waters being generally preferred by it, even when rather shallow, pro*
«Med their .beds are . n't' sand or pebbles, for it is rarely seen on
muddy or stagnant waters, Sen during the breeding season, when it
returns to the inland lakes. Like the Grebes it has the power of
sinking backwards, and it «lives expertly, remaining qeeadionally several
minutes beneath the surface. It usually swims and dives against,
the current, amid»*.! by the shores,, extricating itself from floating ice
by passing under it. Its voracity is, great,, so that it consumes an extraordinary
quantity of fish. I have found fishes: in its stomach sovon
inches in length, and of smaller kinds so many as to wej^h; more than
half a pound. Digestion takes place With groat, rapiditfi,, insomuch
that sap^s which I have fed ififccaptivity devoured more than two
dozen of fishes about four inches in length, lour times uaik, :and vet
alwaysiseemed to be desirous, of more. The allege.!, awkuardn.sss of
this bird when on shore is a f a b f o r I have seen mdividuftfsiwhile
courting-in spring run with great celerity fifty or more yards at a time,
keeping nearly in an erect position. On occasions of this kind I have
observed on the .sand-bars of the Mississippi flocks of sexen Or eight'
males chasing each other with great animosity. At other time?,, however,
they are not fond of walking much, but when on. shore are generally
seen lying fiat on the ground. At times the Mergansers rise almost
at once on wing from the water, but at others they seem to find
considerable difficulty, patting it With their feet for many yards.
These differences seem to depend' on various circumstances, such as
their being suddenly surprised, or during violent winds. They generally,
if not always, rise on wing against the breeze, .
The flight of the Goosander is powerful, and as rapid and sustained
as that of the Bed-breasted and Hooded Mergansers. When fairly
underway and at a good height, they advance in an almost direct course
and proceed with surprising velocity, so that; wh^|su§diij§g»Lapprised
"f the vicinity of man, tliey at time;. find it difficult to check
their spijiH ¡|o quickly as may be. necessary for their safety. I well remember
that on several occasions having watched one of these l.ifds
flying directly up a creek and towards me,. I have taken aim at it and
fired when it was at. the proper distance, and yet such had been its
velocity that it would advance, after being shot, many yards towards me.
GOOSANDER. 268
When .rising from th.! water, whatever number may be in thè flock,
thoy all Start together, paddlè off with their feet and wings, stretching
out their necks, and thus ran as it water to the distance
of twenty or thirty yards with groat 'velocity, extending in a
front, or foil.,wing each other in a line, according, to the extent of
the space before them. They then gradually ascend t., th.- height of ti.»
trees, and mow off « Some considerable .listone«, but often return to
the same plaice.. T-lu.y seem to ascertain the fertility- of the waters by
sipping a little oh their alighting, aM then, having found appearances
. favourable, they open their bills, apparently to take a deep inspiration,
and immediately dive. When thfey have, procured h sufficiency of
food, thoy betake themselves to son,« shnd-har, on which they reposé
until it is digested.
The Goosander rises to the. surface with the fish in its bill and,
shifting it about until it is in a proper position, swallows it. head foremostj
then dives for more. So deeply dr«s it swim, that on such occasions
not moreith^in-a third of M body is seen on the surface ; and
there ft very little chance of shooting it, for it dives 011 seeing the flash;
or even tm hearing ihe click of the lock. The only chance of procuring
one at such timi« is when, on coming « « l e surface, it stretches
itself up and beats -its wings If it '»• only wounded, it ofio« exhibits
great tenacity of life, and diving at ômeé remains a long time
in the water. On emerging, it is seen shaking its head violently, for
the purpose of disgorging its food, ¡audi perhaps; the blood that has
flowed into its lungs • and. on effecting this, it again plunges headlong.
At length, y o u * it come to the surface, with its beautifully tinged
breast upwards ; but if-your object be to obtain game, you will" have
little satisfaction in procuring a Goosander or Say of its genus, for they
are all fishy, oily, tough, an.l fitted for the palate: of done but experienced
epicures. The food of the Goosander consists chiefly of fish,
but also of bivalve Jiells, snails, leeches, aquatic lizards, Brays, and
frogs.
X„w, good Header; Spring has once more gladdened the face of
Nature, pearly drops hang on every leaf, glistening in the bright sunshine,
land thousands of gay insects flutter around. My light canoe is
ready.. Leap in, scat yourSclf snugly in the bow, and sit still while I
paddle you to the green islands of this beautiful lake, whore we shall
probably find a Merganser or two, perhaps a female sitting on her eggs.