4 7 '2 THE GOLDEN-EYE GARROT. 



immense numbers; a portion of which, at least, unless the 

 weather was unusually severe, remained throughout the whole 

 winter. A few breed in the more southern and central parts 

 of Scandinavia, but the greater part in the north, up to at least 

 the 70 of latitude. It is described as very plentiful during 

 the summer months throughout nearly the whole of Lapland. 

 In Denmark it is very common during migration ; and some 

 few nest in the Duchy of Holstein. Migrates partially. 



From the brilliancy of the eye of this bird, there is a 

 saying in Sweden : Klart som ett Knip-oga that is, bright 

 as the eye of the golden-eye garrot. 



This bird, as known, never makes its nest, like other 

 ducks, under the bare heavens, but either in some sheltered 

 situation, such as under a bush and the like, or in the hollow 

 of a tree. The female lays from nine to twelve eggs, of a 

 light blue-green colour, in length two inches two lines, and in 

 thickness one inch six lines. 



In Lapland, where the golden-eye, as well as the goosander, 

 abound, the inhabitants protect these birds for the sake of 

 the eggs to them a valuable article of food of which, by a 

 very simple device, they obtain a large supply ; for knowing 

 the nesting habits of both, they affix so-called Holkar (por- 

 tions of a hollow pine, of some two feet in length, stopped up 

 at both ends, and with a hole in the centre) to the trunks 

 of growing trees, at some few feet from the ground, to 

 encourage and facilitate their breeding ; and of these the 

 birds are only too happy to take possession. If a man owns 

 a good many Holkar and I have seen the banks of the 

 Lapland rivers lined with them, so to say he makes a good 

 harvest ; for by despoiling them of only a few eggs at a time, 

 he may obtain as many as twenty from a single bird. To 



