THE GOLDENEYE 275 



was thoroughly acquainted with all our British ducks, states in the 

 third volume of his Rough Notes that he repeatedly observed females 

 in summer on remote Highland lochs, and on more than one occasion 

 detected a bird flying from old and weather-beaten pine woods, where 

 most probably her nest was concealed, although he never succeeded in 

 verifying the fact. The only point which seems to tell against this 

 theory is that no adult males were observed after the first week in 

 April, with the exception of one pair which were seen for several days 

 subsequent to llth June 1869 on Loch Slyn in Ross-shire. Mr. A. H. 

 Evans also saw a pair courting on Loch Maree on 30th May 1891. The 

 goldeneye is less pelagic in its habits during the winter months than 

 the scaup, and occurs not infrequently on inland waters as well as 

 on the coast, but the great majority of the birds which visit us are 

 immature. 



In its courtship and breeding habits the goldeneye differs con- 

 siderably from the other diving ducks, and fortunately these have been 

 tolerably closely observed, not only in Europe, but also in the case of 

 the race which inhabits America. As the American bird is merely a 

 local form of the European goldeneye, it is probable that the perform- 

 ance is similar in both countries. Dr. C. W. Townsend describes it as 

 follows : " One or more males swim restlessly back and forth and 

 around the female. The feathers of the cheeks and crest of the male 

 are so erected that the head looks large and round, the neck 

 correspondingly small. As he swims along the head is thrust out in 

 front, close to the water, occasionally dabbling at it. Suddenly he 

 springs forward, elevating his breast, and at the same time he enters 

 on the most typical and essential part of the performance. The neck 

 is stretched straight up, and the bill, pointing to the zenith, is opened 

 to emit a harsh, rasping double note, 'zzee-at? vibratory and searching 

 in character. The head is then quickly snapped back until the occiput 

 touches the rump, whence it is brought forward again with a jerk to 

 the normal position. As the head is returned to its place the bird 

 often springs forward, kicking the water in a spurt out behind, and 



