HOODED MERGANSER
131. Lophodytes cucullatus. 17 in.
Bill short compared to those of other mergansers, and black. It is not apt to be mistaken for any other duck, because of its small size and the large crest with which both sexes are adorned, that of the male being black with a large, white patch, and that of the female plain brown.
The male has the power of raising or lowering his crest; when excited he will at times repeatedly open and shut it like a fan. When at a distance on the water, the male might possibly be mistaken for the [Buffle-head], as that species also has white on the head, but its back also is largely white. Both male and female have yellow eyes.
Notes.—Low, muttered croakings.
Nest.—In holes of trees on the banks of, or near, streams or lakes. The bottom of the cavity is lined with grasses and down, and on this they lay 8 to 12 grayish white eggs (2.15 × 1.70); May, June.
Range.—Breeds locally throughout the U. S., but most abundantly north of our borders; winters in the South.
