226 REPTILES AND BIRDS. 
them the Celestials have recourse to artificial heat. ‘They also pos- 
sess some superb varieties, which have been recently imported into 
Europe, and are at the present time the glory of our ornamental 
waters, Magnificent pairs of Chinese Ducks, of which the Mandarin 
is the most beautiful, may be admired in the Jardin d’Acclimatation 
at Paris, at the Zoological Gardens of the Regent’s Park, and also 
in the artificial waters in the parks and gardens of our principal 
cities. 
The common Wild Duck or Mallard, which we have described, is 
- the type of the order of Ducks; but there are about seventy other 
species. The most remarkable are the Golden Eye, Widgeon, 
Pochard, Shoveller, Shieldrake, the Eider Duck, the Teal, the Black 
Diver, and the Merganser. 
THE GOLDEN Eye (Azas clangula). 
The Golden Eye is sometimes called the Garrot. In some pro- 
vinces it has received the nickname of the Harlequin Duck,* because 
its plumage, at a little distance off, looks as if it were composed of 
black and white feathers only. ‘This variegated appearance, which 
occurs only in the males, makes a fine show on the dark pools and 
lakes of the north Highlands and Hebrides, where the scenery in 
winter is excessively dismal. When undisturbed, they float lightly on 
the surface ; but if alarmed, they are said to sink themselves deeper 
in the water, diving rapidly, and swimming with great velocity. 
They fly also swiftly, in a direct manner, their small, stiff, and sharp- 
pointed wings producing a whistling sound, which is heard in calm 
weather at a considerable distance.t They rise easily from the 
water, striking it with their feet and wings for several yards; but 
under alarm, or when there is a breeze rippling the surface, they can 
ascend at once. During winter they are met with in all northern 
Europe, and in severe weather in the south of England. In Ire- 
land, also, they are constant winter visitors; but they do not seem 
to breed with us, betaking themselves to the Arctic regions in spring, 
and returning in October. They are essentially lake ducks ; but they 
are also found on the open coasts and estuaries. Their flesh is dark- 
coloured and unsavoury, requiring all the art of the cook to conceal 
its natural fishy flavour. 
* The Harlequin Duck (Clangula histrionica) is a different species from the 
Golden Eye.—ED. 
+ From the noise made by their wings they are in some localities called 
Whistlers. ; 
