WILD DUCKS. 291 



the reeds near lakes and rivers. Its flesh is excellent, 

 yet not more than a dollar a dozen can be obtained for it 

 in the markets of the West, although each weighs con- 

 siderably over a pound. It may be recognized by its 

 blackish bill, which has two bands of pale-blue; its yel- 

 low iris, reddish collar, and greenish-black head. The 

 body is blackish, except the breast and sides, which are 

 grayish-white, waved with grayish-brown; the tail is of 

 the latter hue; the legs are grayish-blue; and the webs 

 are brownish-black. The female closely resembles the 

 female of the blue-bill, but has not her white face. She 

 has a length of sixteen inches, being two inches less than 

 the male. 



The whistler, golden-eye, or garrot {Bucephala clangu- 

 la), which derives its first name from the fact that its 

 wings produce a loud whistling noise when in motion, is 

 common throughout the country, but does not congregate 

 in such large flocks as the majority of the other species. 

 Its flesh is palatable, yet few persons crave after it while 

 better can be obtained with little trouble. The head of 

 the male is puffy and of a rich green hue; there is a white 

 spot in front of the eye; the lower neck, abdomen, sides, 

 and wing-coverts are white; and the remainder of the 

 body is blackish. The bill is black, except the tip, which 

 is paler, it is shorter tlian the head, and is high at the 

 base. The female has a brown head and gray sides and 

 breast, and is two inches shorter than the male, being 

 about sixteen inches long. This species does not decoy 

 well to calls or stools, but some are often shot from blinds. 



Tlie buffle head {Bucepliala alheola), which rejoices in 

 more names than a royal baby, is known as the butter- 

 ball, dipper, salt-water teal, and devil diver. Although 

 quite palatable, it is not pursued much, even when it 

 alights to decoys, owing to its small size and rather 

 coarse flesh. It is very common, and being exempt from 

 the danger which threatens its more edible kindred, is 



