The Dun-Diver
This has generally been considered as the female of the Goosander.
The following circumstances which have come under my observation,
However, have rendered this opinion somewhat doubtful. 1st,
The Dun-divers are more numerous than the Goosanders.
2nd, the Dun-divers are all less than the Goosanders
(The largest I have seen being little more than three pounds),
But of various sizes, some being under two pounds. 3rd,
The crest of the Dun-diver is considerably longer than the crest,
If it can be so called, of the Goosander. 4th, Dun-divers
Have been found, upon dissection, to be males. 5th, the neck
Of the largest Dun-diver, and which has proved to be a male,
Is nothing like so thick as the neck of the Goosander.
On the 26th of December, 1783, I dissected a Dun-diver,
Which was rather more than three pounds in weight; its length
Was twenty-seven inches, and its breadth thirty-five inches.
It proved to be a male: the testes, though flaccid, were very
Distinct, and about half an inch in length. In the middle
Of January, 1786, I received two Dun-divers, both of which
I dissected: the first was a small one, about two pounds
In weight; it proved to be a female; the eggs were very distinct.
The second was much larger, and weighed three pounds; its crest
Was longer, and its belly of a fine yellowish rose colour:
It was a male, and the testes were beginning to grow turgid.
I have dissected only one Goosander, and that proved to be a male.
Therefore, until a Goosander be found, upon dissection,
To prove a female, or two Goosanders to attend the same nest,
The doubts respecting these birds cannot be satisfactorily removed.
Page(s) 54
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