150 The IVafer-fowl Family 



appearing often at the flash ; when wounded 

 swimming a long distance under water, appear- 

 ing a second at the surface, and disappearing 

 before there is time to raise a gun. The flesh, 

 like that of the common golden-eye, is frequently- 

 fishy, although when the birds have frequented 

 fresh-water ponds and lakes this flavor disappears. 

 The species is known also as the Rocky Moun- 

 tain golden-eye or garrot. 



/, 



BUFFLE-HEAD 



{Charitonetta albeold) 



Adult male — A broad, white band extends from behind and beneath 

 the eye to the occiput ; rest of head and whole of neck, glossed 

 with green, violet, and bronze reflections ; the feathers of the 

 head are puffed out on sides and back ; lower part of neck, entire 

 under parts, a large patch on wing composed of wing-coverts, and 

 outer webs of secondaries, and scapulars, white ; primaries, black ; 

 back and rump, black, fading into pearl-gray of the upper tail- 

 coverts ; tail, dark gray, with white edges ; bill, slate ; nail, black ; 

 iris, dark brown ; legs and feet, flesh color. 



Measurements — Length, 14.50 inches; wing, 6.50 inches; culmen, 

 1.20 inches ; tarsus, 1.20 inches. 



Adult female — Head and neck, dusky ; top of head, blackish, a white 

 stripe on cheeks and ear-coverts ; upper parts, blackish gray, 

 grading into black on the rump ; apical half of outer webs of 

 secondaries, white, forming speculum ; upper parts of breast, 

 sides, anal region, and lower tail-coverts, dull gray ; rest of 

 under parts, white ; tail, gray ; bill, dusky ; legs and feet, slate ; 

 webs, dusky ; iris, brown. 



Measure)nents — Length, 13.50 inches; wing, 5.90 inches; culmen, 

 I inch; tarsus, i.io inches. 



Plumage of male in the first year resembles female, but the 

 feathers of the head are more puffed. 



