152 THE GOLDEN-EYE GARttOT. 



and being very generally distributed over the coun- 

 try. The old males are rather shy, but the small 

 parties, consisting of females and immature birds, 

 allow a pretty near approach, and will rather avoid 

 the danger by dropping down with the stream than 

 take wing. In the rivers they feed on the shallow 

 parts at the foot of pools, seeking their food by 

 diving, and performing that act simultaneously, so 

 much so that we have frequently approached them 

 by taking the advantage of the party being under 

 water, running forward, and again getting into con- 

 cealment about the time when they should appear, 

 until the last run carried us to the water's edge. 

 They would on rising then take flight, never at- 

 tempting to escape by again diving, as a grebe 

 or driver would do. The flight is rapid, performed 

 along the line of the river unless when passing to 

 some distance, when they rise to a considerable 

 li eight. 



Over Europe, the Golden seems to be pretty 

 equally distributed in winter in suitable localities, 

 but all retire northward, and breed in Scandinavia, 

 Norway, Sweden and Lapland. In these coun- 

 tries in summer it is frequent, breeding in hollow 

 trees naturally, but also taking possession of boxes 

 or artificial holes made by the country-people for 

 the sake of the eggs, and showing little wariness 



Oo ' o 



iii availing itself of the shelter thus provided. 

 Out of Europe, we have the authority of Tem- 

 minck for Japan specimens being identical, while 

 in the northern parts of the New World, the bird 



