218 BIRDS OF TUNISIA 



CLANGULA GLAUCION (Linnseus). 

 GOLDEN-EYE. 



Anas glaucion, Limi. Syst. Nat. i, p. 201 (1766). 

 Anas clangula, Linn. Syst. Nat. i, p. 201 (1766). 

 Clangula glaucion, Brchm, Isis, 1830, p. 999 ; Salvadori, Cat. Birds 



Brit. 2Ius. xxvii, p. 376 ; Loche, Expl. Sci. Alg. Ois. ii, p. 396 (1867) ; 



Koenig, J. f. 0. 1888, p. 285 ; id. J. f. 0. 1893, p. 95. 

 Anas clangula (Clangula glaucion), MaUierbe, Cat. Eais. d'Ois. Alg. p. 



23 (1816). 



Description.- — Adult male, winter, from Italy. 



Head and upper neck glossy bottle-green, the feathers on the crown 

 somewhat elongated ; a large white spot on the cheeks at the base of the 

 bill ; back, rump, tail, primaries, lesser wing-coverts and inner scapulars 

 black ; remainder of plumage pure white. 



Iris yellow ; bill blackish ; feet orange-yellow. 



Total length 20 inches, wing 9, culmen 1-50, tarsus 1-75. 



Adult female, head and upper neck brown ; remainder of upper plumage 

 greyish-black ; underparts white. 



Total length 17 inches, wing 7'50, culmen 1-10, tarsus 150. 



This northern species is said to occur occasionally in the Eegency 

 in winter, but is probably merely an accidental visitor in severe 

 seasons. Loche states that it is to be met with occasionally in 

 Algeria on passage in winter, and a male example of the species from 

 that country is preserved in the Milan Museum under the No. 17,968. 

 Malherbe's statement that the species "est trcs rcpandic en Algcric," 

 is no doubt erroneous. According to Colonel Irby, this Duck occurs 

 but rarely about the Straits of Gibraltar in winter. In some parts of 

 Italy, however, it is not uncommon during the winter months, and 

 has been found in Sicily and Malta. 



The Golden-eye is chiefly to be met with on the sea-coast dm-ing 

 its winter sojourn in the Mediterranean, and generally in small parties 

 or isolated pairs. It is rather shy and wary, flies rapidly, and swims 

 and dives expertly. When flying, its wings produce a whistling or 

 rattling sound, which may be heard some way off. It feeds on 

 aquatic plants, small Crustacea, and insects. 



