BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



261 



by the large white patch on the side of the head behind 

 the eye ; the common golden-eye has the white in front of 

 the eye. The adult female has also a white patch behind 

 the eye. 



Common )£it)ei\ 



--^ <^: 



Thi>: Common Eider (So/naieria viollissima^ Linnaeus) is a 

 resident species in the British Isles, but is only known to 

 breed in England in one locality — viz., the Fame Islands, 

 Northumberland. It is also found inhabiting the northern 

 portions of the Western Palearctic Region. The adult 



