ANATID.E THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 167 



wing-coverts, and secondaries, pure white; anterior lesser wing- coverts, and outer edges 

 of scapulars and flank feathers, and concealed portion of greater coverts, deep black; pri- 

 maries blackish dusky; tail dull slate ; sides of the anal region behind the flanks clouded 

 with grayish. Bill black; iris bright yellow; feet orange-yellow, with dusky webs. Adult 

 female: Similar to that of G. islandica, but head and neck hair-brown or grayish brown, 

 rather than purplish sepia or snuff-brown; and white on the wing usually not interrupted 

 by a distinct black bar. 



Downy young. Upper parts generally, including the whole upper half of the head, to 

 the rictus, and considerably below the eyes, the chest, sides, and thighs deep sooty brown, 

 lighter and more grayish on the chest ; the brown of the upper parts relieved by about eight 

 spots of grayish white, as follows: one on the posterior border (secondary region) of each 

 wing; one on each side the back; one on each side the rump, at the base of the tail; and one 

 on each flank just before the brown of the thighs. Chin, throat, and cheeks pure white, in 

 abrupt and decided contrast to the brown, which entirely surrounds it; remaining lower 

 parts grayish white. Bill brownish; nail yellowish. 



Adult male: Total length, about 18.50 to 20.00 inches; extent 31.00; wing, about 9.25; 

 length of bill, from tip to end of basal angle, 1.85; depth at base, 1.00; width, .85; tarsus, 1 60; 

 middle toe, 2.50. Adult female: Total length, 16.50; extent, 26.75; wing, 8.25; culmen, 1.60; 

 depth of bill at base, .90; width, .70; tarsus. 1.40; middle toe, 2.20. 



As stated under the head of G. idcmdica (p. 169), we are un- 

 able to discover, in the material at our command (consisting 

 of upward of twenty specimens, including six unquestionable G. 

 islandica and many more equally undoubted r.eA^/y^ cvmericano} 

 positive points of distinction between the female of the common 

 and that of Barrow's Golden-eye. All specimens, however, pos- 

 sessing no dusky bar across the ends of the greater wing- 

 coverts, interrupting the white wing-patch, should probably 

 be referred to the present species. The females of both species 

 are so variable in every character we have tested that it is quite 

 impossible to say to which some examples should be referred. 



Upon comparing a series of two males and as many females 

 of the European Golden-eye ( G. clangula) with a very large 

 number of American specimens, we are unable to detect any dif- 

 ference in coloration. The difference in size, however, is so great, 

 and, moreover, constant, as fully to justify their separation as 

 distinct races. 



The Golden-eye is a winter visitant to Illinois, its breeding 

 range extending, "from the the 42d parallel northward" 

 (BREWER), while its winter home is from about the same lat- 

 itude southward. 



"On Long Island, as Mr. Giraud states, the Golden-eye is 

 better known among the hunters as the 'Whistler,' from the 

 peculiar noise produced by its wings when flying. By others it 

 is also called the "Great-head," from its beautifully rich and 

 thickly crested head. On that island it is said to be a not very 



