GOLDEN-EYE 131 
It is easily tamed and the adult male in full plumage is 
strikingly ornamental on aquatic preserves. 
Geographical distribution.—This bird breeds in great 
numbers in Northern Europe and Asia, but only very 
sparingly beyond the forest growth. In Russia, it nests 
as far south as lat. 58° N. On migration it visits the seas 
and inland waters of Central and Southern Europe and Asia, 
while wanderers occasionally reach N. Africa. 
DESCRIPTIVE CHARACTERS. 
PLUMAGE. Adult male nuptial—Head and upper neck, 
elossy-black, reflecting shades of dark green; feathers on 
the top of the head form a short, thick crest ; below and in 
front of the eye is a noticeable white patch; rest of neck, 
wing-coverts, breast, abdomen, and under tail-coverts, white ; 
flanks, brownish-grey ; back and upper tail-coverts, black ; 
primaries, dark brown; scapulars, black interspersed with 
white ; tail brownish-black. 
Adult male, post-nuptial or eclipse. —Resembles the 
female dress, but the white patch at the base of the beak 
does not altogether disappear, and much of the white on 
the wings is retained. 
Adult female nuptial. — Head and upper neck, dark nut- 
brown; below this is a pale whitish-brown collar; rest of 
neck and upper breast, greyish-brown ; back and sides, dark 
brown shading to dusky greyish-black ; much of the white 
on the wing-coverts in the male is replaced by dark brown 
shading to black ; lower breast and abdomen, white. 
Adult winter, male and female.—Similar to the respective 
nuptial plumages. . 
Immature, male and female.—Resembles the female 
plumage. 
Beak. Dull bluish-black. 
Fret. Yellow; webs, blackish. 
IrR1DES. Bright golden-yellow. 
AVERAGE MEASUREMENTS. 
TOTAL LENGTH ... ee a) pallSrore stor 
WING = aie es Ces S25... 
BEAK rae oa ee mr 1k a 
TARSO-METATARSUS 5 ae 
EGG OMA Gein 
