71 



and the bill, and the wing patch are white. The female and young male are marked with 

 liglit greys and blacks on the back, large white wing patches, and a seal brown head; 

 the upperneck usually strongly contrasted with white or grey neck and breast. 



Distinctions. In young and female plumages it may sometimes be confused with 

 the Redhead, Canvas-back^, or the Scaups. In such plumages the lack of white face 

 mark or its restriction to the sides of the face wiU distinguish it from the Scaups; the 

 white wing patches from the Redhead and Canvas-back. 



Field Marks. The striking black and white coloration of the male and the brown 

 head and lack of face markings of most juveniles and the females. The large head, short 

 neck, and loud whistling of the wings in flight are characteristic. 



Nesting. In stumps or hollow trees. 



Distribution. Golden-eyes inhabit most of the northern parts of the northern hemi- 

 sphere. The American Golden-eye, the only New World representative of the species, is 

 generally distributed over most of Canada. A common migrant and locally a winter 

 resident in eastern Canada, breeding sparingly in the eastern provinces but more com- 

 monly in the northwest. 



SUBSPECIES. The Golden-eye is divided into two eubspecific races: an Old 

 World and a New World form — the latter the American Golden-eye. C. c. Americana 

 being the only one that occurs in America. 



One of the best known of the larger ducks. A very hardy bird remain- 

 ing on our waters in winter until they close with ice. 



152. Barrow's Golden-eye. fr. — le bucephale d'isi.ande. Clangnla islandica 

 L, 20. Like the American Golden-eye, but the male has a crescent-shaped instead of a 

 circular face spot. The head glossed with purple instead of green and the biU relatively 

 higher at the base. 



Distinctions. Males easily separated from the Golden-eye as above, but young birds 

 and females of the two species more difficult to distinguish and shape of bill perhaps only 

 reUable guide. Young males can be recognized by a slight lump in the forehead just at 

 base of bill, which though not visible through the plumage can be plainly felt with the 

 finger. 



Field Marks. Exceptional circumstances may allow some of the above points to 

 be recognized in Hfe. 



Nesting. In stumps or hollow trees when possible, otherwise probably in rock cavities 

 or on ground. 



Distribution. A bird of very unusual distribution; common near the eastern and 

 western coasts but absent from most of the great interior; eastern birds probably breed 

 in northern Ungava. 



This is a more northern species than the former which it closely 

 resembles in habits as well as appearance. 



153. Buffle-head. spirit duck, butterball. fr. — le petit bucephale. Char- 

 itonetta albeola. L, 14-75. A very small duck, almost as diminutive as the Teal, but 

 coloured in striking contrasts of black and white. Male : white below and around base 

 of neck, black above with an iridescent black head broken by a large white triangular 

 patch with apex below the eye meeting its fellow along the nape. The feathers of the 

 cheeks lengthened, making puffs on the sides of the face, hence its name. Female : white 

 below and dull brownish-grey elsewhere except for a vague white spot on each cheek . 



Distinctions. Male cannot be mistaken for anything else; female rather like the 

 Scaup but can be distinguished by small size and dash of fight extending from behind 

 eye towards back of crown instead of a white patch at base of bill. One facial spot instead 

 of two and the evenly light underparts will separate it from the female Harlequin which 

 it also resembles. 



Field Marks. SmaU size and white head spot for the male, and size, cheek spot, 

 and white wing patch for the female. 



Nesting. In a stump or hoUow tree. 



Distribution. A common migrant from the Atlantic coast westwards; breeds in 

 the west and northwest. 



The name Spirit Duck refers to its diving powers and the remarkable 

 ease with which it disappears when wounded. 



^See footnote, p. 63. 



