^50 Barrow's Golden Eye 



Winged Teal. I well remember the occasion when this bird 

 was first observed here ; how long before the species had been 

 accustomed to frequent our shores it would be difficult to 

 say. 



I happened one day to call at the rooms of our skilful Taxi- 

 dermist, Mr. John G. Bell, and found him engaged in preparing 

 a Teal for mounting, and while handling the bird we noticed 

 that it was wanting in the conspicuous white bar in front of the 

 wings, always to be found in our common species at that period 

 of the year, early spring. This led us to examine it more 

 closely, when we soon perceived that it was the European 

 species. 



Since that time, Mr. Bell, always on the watch for these 

 birds, has been fortunate enough to obtain, at various periods, 

 a good many specimens. 



Thus, from time to time, has the fauna of the United States 

 been increased by species, which always before were deemed 

 as belonging to the old world, and if they had been isolated 

 cases, it would have been fair to suppose them mere stragglers, 

 turned from their accustomed routes by violent storms, or other 

 unknown causes ; but in regard to the two species, referred to 

 above, so many have followed their pioneer, if I may so call 

 the first arrival, that it is no longer a matter of doubt, that they 

 may with propriety be considered as much an inhabitant of the 

 land as any other species of migratory birds. 



Although the species, whose name stands at the commence- 

 ment of this article, is well known as an inhabitant of our high 

 latitudes, and is even occasionally met with upon the river St. 

 Lawrence during the winter, yet it has never been recorded as 

 having been observed within the limits of the United States, 

 and, therefore, it is with pleasure I am able to state, that lately 

 several specimens have been obtained within our boundaries. 

 ITot long ago Mr. Bell's assistant, Mr. Francis McCulloch, told 

 me that he had seen in Washington Market a curious Golden 

 Eye. It looked like a female, but had a white mark near the 



