20 BULLETIN 130, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



the shore, diving every few minutes, to probe under the edges of the large 

 stones. They invariably try to submerge even if the water is not deep enough 

 to cover their backs, and I have never seen them dipping as redheads and 

 scaups frequently do. One can follow the goldeneye's movement as it en- 

 circles the large stones, by the commotion on the surface and by frequent 

 glimpses of the duck's back. In shallow water, the birds remain below from 

 15 to 20 seconds, the crawfish being brought to the surface to be swallowed. 

 By the end of winter the feathers on the forehead are generally worn off,, 

 through much rubbing against stones in this manner of foraging. When 

 feeding in deep water, over the beds of Potamogeton, they stay in the same 

 place until satisfied. In such places the small snails and Crustacea that at- 

 tach themselves to the stems of Potamogeton form their chief food, but little 

 vegetable matter being taken beyond what is eaten with the shells. The 

 small shellfish are swallowed while the birds are below the surface of the 

 water, unlike the procedure followed with the larger crawfish. Their stay 

 under water is of fairly uniform duration, ranging from 50 to 55 seconds. 

 At the beginning of the dive the tail is raised and spread to its full extent. 



Behavior. — He writes of its habits : 



As far as I have been able to observe, there is no difference in the flight of 

 the two species of goldeneye. Both have the same clumsy way of rising, and 

 of flying close to the surface before attaining any speed ; once under way they 

 travel swiftly, and one's attention is held by the distinctive, musical whistle 

 of their wings. Both the Barrow goldeneye and the American goldeneye are 

 less gregarious than others of our ducks with the exception of the mergansers^ 

 I have never seen the Barrow goldeneye in large flocks except in the mating 

 season. When feediHg, two or three birds together are the rule, and five or 

 six the maximum number noted. 



Dr. D. G. Elliott (1898) writes of its behavior: 



I have found it at times quite numerous on the St. Lawrence near Ogdens- 

 burg, and have killed a goodly number there over decoys, and some specimens, 

 procured on these occasions, are now in the Museum of Natural History in 

 New York. The two species were associated together on the rjvor, and I never 

 knew which one would come to the decoys, but I do not remember that both 

 never came together, unless it might be the females, for, as I have said, it was 

 difficult to distinguish them without an examination. 



The birds would fly up and down tlie river, doubtless coming from, and go- 

 ing to. Lake Erie, stopping occasionally in the coves to feed, and floating 

 down with the current for a considerable distance, when they would rise and 

 fly upstream again. My decoys were always placed in some cove or bend of the 

 stream where the current was least strong, for I noticed the birds rarely 

 settled on the water where it was running swiftly. This duck decoys readily 

 in such situations, and will come right in, and if permitted, settle among the 

 wooden counterfeits. They sit lightly upon the water and rise at once with- 

 out effort or much splashing. The flight is very rapid, and is accompanied 

 with the same whistling of the wings so noticeable in the common goldeneye. 

 In stormy weather this bird keeps close to the banks, seeking shelter from, 

 the winds. It dives as expertly as its relative, and frequently remains under 

 water for a considerable time. The flesh of those killed upon the river was 

 tender and of good flavor, fish evidently not having figured much as an article- 

 of their diet. 



