The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Harle \Harle\ (h[aum]rl), n. (Zool.)
The red-breasted merganser.
[1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Merganser \Mer*gan"ser\, n. [Sp. merg['a]nsar, fr. mergo a diver
(L. mergus, fr. mergere to dip, dive) + ['a]nsar goose, L.
anser.] (Zool.)
Any bird of the genus Mergus (Merganser), and allied
genera of the subfamily Merginae. They are allied to the
ducks, but have a sharply serrated bill, eat fish, and dive
for food. Also called fish duck.
[1913 Webster +PJC]
Note: The red-breasted merganser (Merganser serrator)
inhabits both hemispheres. It is called also sawbill,
harle, and sheldrake. The American merganser
(Merganser Americanus.) and the hooded merganser
(Lophodytes cucullatus) are well-known species.
White merganser, the smew or white nun.
[1913 Webster]