COMMON GOLDEN EYE. 443 



known by the name of Quattr' OccJii, or four eyes, from 

 the two round and white spots placed near the corners of 

 the bill, which at a distance give almost the appearance of 

 two additional eyes. They likewise pass into the central 

 parts of the continent and visit the great lakes of Switzer- 

 land. They are equally common, at the same season, in 

 most parts of the United States, as far probably as the ex- 

 tremity of the Union, and early in spring they are again 

 seen in Missouri and on the wide bosom of the Mississippi, 

 preparing to depart for their natal regions in the north. 

 Though they fly with vigor, from the shortness of their legs 

 and the ampleness of the webs of their feet, the Clangulas 

 walk badly and with pain ; they advance only by jerks, 

 and strike the ground so strongly with their broad feet, that 

 each step produces a noise like the slapping of the hands ; 

 the wings are also extended to retain an equilibrium, and 

 if hurried, the awkward bird falls on its breast, and stretches 

 its feet out behind. Born only for the water, the Golden 

 Eye, except in the season of propagation, seldom quits it, 

 but for to dry itself awhile in the air, and immediately after 

 returns to its natural element. 



The Common Golden Eye, would appear from various authorities 

 to vary from 19 to 22^ inches ! With this larger size in the male, 

 the wing is said to be 9 inches long : the bill above, about 1^ inches, 

 and the tarsus exactly the same length. — The head and two inches 

 of the neck is brilliant duck-green. Forehead and chin blackish- 

 brown. The back, long scapulars, coverts bordering the wing, pri- 

 maries, 4 outer secondaries, and the tertiaries, pitch-black. A round 

 spot beneath the lores, lower part of the neck, shoulders, outer scap- 

 ulars, intermediate and greater coverts, 7 posterior secondaries, and 

 the whole under plumage pure white, except the deep black edges 

 of the long flank feathers, and the space round the thighs, which, with 

 the tail, are broccoli-brown. Bill black, high at the base, narrowed 

 towards the point. Feet orange. Irids golden-yellow. Head large; 

 forehead high ; occipital plumage lengthened. Wings acute, 2^ 

 inches shorter than the tail. 1st and 2d quills subequal and longest. 



