THE THIRD SPECIES SELECTED for this continuing bird anatomy series is the distinctive, elegant hooded merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus). The name is derived from the Greek lophos - meaning "crest" and - dytes for "diver." It is also often placed in genus Mergus cucullatus. Mergansers are the only ducks that specialize in eating fish. Sometimes called "sawbills," they have serrations or sawteeth on the cutting edges of their bills to help grasp slippery fish. In flight they look slender and stretched out and fly with very fast wing beats.

...Continued in the Summer 2006 Issue of Breakthrough.

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