E 270 ]
G e n u s X C I . M E R G A N S E R .
DUN-DIVER.
Dun-Diver, Gen. Syn. vi. p.420. N°2.
Mergus ferratus, Brun. Orn. N° 96 *.
T N confirmation o f what I before advanced f , concerning the
1 probability of this bird and the Goofander being different fpe-
cies, I have been lately informed by Dr. Heyjham, that he fome
time fince differed two Dun-Divers-, the one weighing about
two pounds : this proved a fem ale; the eggs numerous, and appearing
very diftinft. The other bird, being much larger,
weighed full three pounds. T h e crefl: in this was longer than that
o f the other, and the belly o f a bright buff-colour. This proved,
on dilfe&ion, a male; and the tejles werefufficiencly apparent, and
beginning to grow turgid. A t this time he obferved, that he
could not obtain a Angle Goofander, though fome were feen about,
and fometimes in company with, the Dun-Divers 1-
The Dun-Diver inhabits Ireland, and breeds upon the iflands o f
the Shannon, near Killaloo, and is frequently feen there the whole
fummer through!-
The Goofander, Red-breafied Goofander, and Smew, appear about
Sandwich in winter §.
» I have quoted the above, in my Synoffa, for the Red.lnafled Goofander; but
I am now clear that Brunnicb meant the Mergus caftor of Linnaus, a fmall variety
of this fpecies. His M. erijlatus, N° 94, 95. he means the Red-breafted
fpecies.
f Synopjis, vol. vi. p. 421, 422* ' _
% My friend does not fay whether he obferved a labyrinth in the male bird,
h Mr. Jackfon, § Mr. Boys,
RD ead/4 - bKr.e^ as fi rtPend
4 L
M E R G A N S E R . 171
Red-breafted Merganfer, Gen. Syn. vi. p. 423. N” 3-
Mergus criftatus M. & Fem. Brun. N° 94,95.
T N a male of one of thefe, which was fhot near Sandwich, in
Kent, I obferved that the feathers which compofe the crefl: were
Amply b la ck; alfo down the middle of the crown, as well as the
fpace before the eye, and beneath the chin and throat 5 but in the
reft of the neck the black had a glofs o f green. This fex is fur-
nifhed with a curious and large labyrinth. The windpipe, about
two inches from its entrance above, fwells out into an oval form,
o f three times the width it before occupied, and continues fo for
about two inches j after which it refumes its firft fhape and fize,
and fo continues, to the divarication into the lungs s at which
place it palfes through, and communicates with a bony labyrinth,
in fhape not unlike a heart, two inches and a quarter long by two
in breadths one fide of which is perforated with two holes,
one of which is double the fize o f the other, and both covered
with a pellucid membrane which is dilatable, and ferves to enlarge
the cavity of the labyrinth at the will o f the bird.
3 -
+■ REDBREASTED
G.
iM
v 'm
Smew, Gen. Syn. vi. p. 428. N° 5.
T H A V E once found a fewJhrimps in the ftomach o f one of
thefe birds. Mr. Jackfon informs me, that he has found it per-
feftly diftended with them, and that they are fuppofed to be its
chief food.
5 -
■ SMEW..
G i k v s
lg
'.AS