AMEEICAN GOLDEN-EYE 167 



At Eagle Lake, Lassen County, California, Sheldon (loc. cit.) 

 found Ring-necked Ducks less shy than other ducks. They were 

 always close to shore, usually where dead trees lay in the water, and 

 often perched on limbs of dead pines which rose above water. 



As a rule birds of tliis species are seen singly or in pairs, and they 

 do not resort to open water as much as their relatives, the Scaup 

 Ducks. Brooks (1 81)96 , p. 350) says: The Ring-neck ''generally fre- 

 quents smaller ponds and more rushy localities than the scaups, but 

 I have seen both species of Scaups, Ringbills, Redheads and Canvas- 

 backs (all five species of tiie genus Aythya found in America) in one 

 enormous flock. Like the [other] members of tliis genus the Ringbill 

 is a swift flyer. Li fact I should class it as tlie fastest flying duck in 

 America." The swift motion of the wings pi'oduces a whistling sound 

 as the birds pass overhead. In flight, too, the general behavior is 

 like that of Scaups, in that the nuMubers of a band of Ring-necks 

 spread out and do not afford opportunities for "pot-shots." The 

 .feeding habits of the Ring-neck are similar to those of its nearest of 

 kin. It dives easily and is able to stay under water for a considerable 

 period of time. It eats snails, aquatic insects, and seeds. 



Belding (MS) s&ys that the Ring-neck takes low rank among food 

 ducks. It is too rare a duck to be of importance as a game bird. If 

 it could be readily distinguished in the field it would be Avell to afford 

 it special protection along with the Wood Duck and Redhead ; but its 

 similarity to the Scaup Duck precludes such a course. Better pro- 

 tection in the states lying to the north, where it is found more abun- 

 dantly, will favor its persistence withni our own state. 



American Golden-eye 

 Clangula clangula americana Bonaparte 



Other names — Whistler; Whistle-wing; Copperhead (female only); Btice- 

 phala americana; Clangula americana; Bucephala clangula; Clangula glaucion 

 americana ; Glaucionetta clangula americana ; Bucephala clangula var. americana. 



Description — Adult male: Whole head, including moderately developed 

 crest, and upper part of neck, black, glossed (except on throat) with dark 

 metallic green changeable to violet at certain angles; a nearly circular spot 

 of white (measuring about five-eighths by one inch) at base of bill on each 

 side; iris "bright yellow" (Audubon, 1843, VI, p. 367); bill deep black; pure 

 white of breast and lower surface continuous clear around neck, contrasting 

 abruptly with black of head; inner scapulars black, outer ones white with 

 black edges; back, rump and tail, solidly black; outer surface of closed wing 

 black and white; bend and edge of wing blackish, secondaries, greater and 

 middle coverts (including speculum), pure white; primaries and tail blackish 

 slate; sides pure white; elongated flank feathers, white, edged sharply with 

 black; under tail coverts white; under side of tail ashy brown; feet "orange," 

 webs "dusky,'' claws "black" ^Audubon, loc. cit.). Total length "18.50- 



