GOLDEN EYE. 1 77 



" whistle " of the wings is heard. The Whistler is a high 

 flyer, and upon the sea-coast pays but little attention to 

 decoys, although it will occasionally come to them. It is 

 generally seen singly or in pairs, the male frequently 

 leading the female, though at times their positions are 

 reversed as is usually the case with Ducks when traveling 

 in pairs, but in the interior small flocks are not uncom- 

 mon, especially upon the rivers, which are much fre- 

 quented by this species. The large thickly crested or 

 rather fluffy head of this Duck is beautifully resplendent 

 with metallic green hues, particularly noticeable when 

 the sun's rays fall upon it, the brighter portions contrast- 

 ing with those in shadow, like brilliant emeralds lying on 

 dark green velvet. The Indians along the River Yukon 

 stuff the skin of this Duck and ornament it with beads, 

 and give it to a child for a doll or toy. 



As a diver the Golden Eye ranks as a master. So in- 

 stantaneous are its movements upon the water when dis- 

 appearing below the surface, that shot from a gun cannot 

 travel to the spot it occupied quickly enough, if the bird 

 has seen the flash, for it is under water at once. The In- 

 dians are superstitious about it on account of its wonder- 

 ful quickness, and the name of Spirit Duck was given to it 

 by them as typifying a being endowed with supernatural 

 powers. It is able to keep up this rapid diving for a long 

 while, and one will waste his time if he waits hoping to 

 catch a Golden Eye napping. This Duck feeds at the 

 sea-coast, on shell-fish mainly, which it procures by div- 

 ing, but on inland lakes and rivers it must eat grasses and 

 roots, for its flesh has a very different flavor and is ten- 

 der and delicate. In South Carolina it visits the rice- 

 fields and feeds on the grain. It is often seen in company 

 with the Little Broad Bill, BufHe Head, and sometimes 

 with Mergansers, paddling along near the banks of 



