1«8 CLANGULA ALBEOLA. 



to the following effect : — " In autumn and Avinter this beau- 

 tiful miniature of the Golden-eyed Duck is generally dis- 

 persed over the United States, whence it returns northward 

 from the beginning of March to the end of May. It does 

 not breed within the limits of the Union, nor, as it appears, 

 in Labrador or Newfoundland. During the periods of their 

 movements toward the north, I found them exceedingly 

 abundant on the waters of the Bay of Fundy, the males in 

 flocks and in full di"ess, preceding the females about a fort- 

 night, as is the case with many other birds. The Mario- 

 nette — and I think the name a pretty one — is a very hardy 

 bird, for it remains at times during extremely cold weather 

 on the Ohio, when it is thickly covered with floating ice, 

 among which it is seen diving almost constantly in search of 

 food. When the river is frozen over they seek the head- 

 waters of the rapid streams, in the turbulent eddies of w hich 

 they find abundance of food. Possessed of a feeling of 

 security arising from the rapidity with which they can dive, 

 they often allow you to go quite near them, though they will 

 then watch every motion, and at the snap of your gun, or on 

 its being discharged, disappear with the SAviftness of thought, 

 and perhaps as quickly rise again within a few yards, as if 

 to ascertain the cause of their alarm. Their flight is as 

 rapid as that of our Hooded Merganser, for they pass through 

 the air, by regularly repeated beats of their wings, with sur- 

 prising speed ; and yet this is the best time for the expe- 

 rienced sportsman to shoot them, as they usually fly low. 

 Their note is a mere croak, much resembling that of the 

 Golden-eye, but feebler. At the approach of spring the males 

 often swell their throats, and expand the feathers of the head, 

 whilst they utter these sounds, and Avhilst moving with great 

 pomposity over the w^aters. When these birds return to us 

 from the north, the number of the young so very much exceeds 

 that of the old, that to find males in full plumage is much 

 more uncommon than toward the time of their departure, 

 Avhen I have thought the males as numerous as the females. 

 Although at times they are very fat, their flesh is fishy and 

 disagreeable. Many of them, hoAvever, are offered for sale 

 in our markets. Their food is much varied, according to 



