NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 71 



rounded-oval in shape, and measure from 2.30 to 2.55 long by 1.70 to 

 1.78 broad. 



152- Grlaucionetta islandica (GMEL.) [619.] 



Barrow's Golden-eye. 



Hab. Northern North America, south in winter to New York, Illinois and Utah. Greenland; Iceland. 



The Rocky Mountain Garrot, or Golden-eye, is almost exclusively 

 a North American species, breeding from the Gulf of St. Lawrence 

 in the east and the mountains of Colorado in the west to high north- 

 ern regions. It is a resident of Greenland and Iceland. It may be 

 known by the large triangular white spot before the eye running up to 

 a point, applied against the entire base of the bill and the division of 

 the white area on the wing. The head is moderately puffy, with an 

 occipital crest, and the color of the gloss is chiefly purple and violet. 

 The bill is black or greenish-dusky and the iris golden-yellow. In the 

 female the head is snuff-brown and no white patch in front of the eye. 

 This bird, like the last, makes its nest in hollow trees, of grass, sticks 

 and weeds, lined with feathers. Mr. Edwin Carter was the first to find 

 the nest ' and eggs of this species in the mountains of Colorado in 

 1876. From six to ten eggs are laid, these are usually elliptical in 

 shape, and measure from 2.25 to 2.30 long by 1.60 to 1.65 broad. 



153. Charitonetta albeola (LINN.) [621.] 



Bnffle-head. 



Hab. North America; south to Cuba and Mexico. Breeds from Maine northward, through the Fur 

 Countries and Alaska. 



This duck is variously named, as Butter-ball, " Dipper," " Butter- 

 box," " Spirit Duck" and " Hell-diver." It dives with the greatest 

 of ease, slipping under the water almost as quickly as a grebe. Its ex- 

 pertness in diving enables it to obtain food in very deep water. The 

 Bufne-head is peculiarly an American species, but of accidental occur- 

 rence in Europe. In Manitoba and throughout all the Fur Countries 

 it is a common summer resident, breeding as far north as Alaska. The 

 nests are concealed in hollows of trees or stumps, near the banks of 

 streams. They are lined with down and feathers. The Butter-ball 

 breeds occasionally in Northern Maine. In the United States it is an 

 abundant spring and fall migrant, and in many places a winter resi- 

 dent. The male is one of the handsomest of our small ducks. The 

 head is particularly puffy, of varied rich iridescence, with a large 

 showy white patch on each side behind the eye. The broad black and 

 white pattern of his upper coat stands out in strong contrast against a 

 glossy white breast. The female is smaller and a very insignificant 

 looking duck ; the head is scarcely puffy, dark gray, with traces of the 

 white auricular patch. 



