102 FRANK forester's FIELD SPORTS. 



and the greater proportion of white on the wings. The males 

 have the white spot on the cheek perceptible about the first 

 spring, and the other parts of the plumage proportionally dis- 

 tinct. Among most of the flocks which visit our rivers in win- 

 ter, it is rare to find more than one full-plum aged male in each ; 

 sometimes not more than two or three are seen during the win- 

 ter among fifty or sixty immature birds." — Wilson's American 

 Ornithology. 



Mr. Wilson proceeds to observe, that he is convinced that the 

 Lesser Morillon — Anas glaucion — of Europe, is no other than 

 the young of the Golden-Eye. This point has, however, been 

 long since investigated, and thoroughly disproved. 



This is famous both in this country and in England, as being 

 the most cunning, shy and wary of the Duck species ; and 

 although Mr. Audubon speaks of it as easily decoyed, and 

 tempted even by very rude imitations of itself, to pass and re- 

 pass the stools, affording several fair shots in succession to the 

 gunner, I have never heard of any instance of the kind, and Mr. 

 Giraud bears testimony to exactly the reverse, stating that, when 

 himself well concealed, he has often known it to pass his decoys 

 without offering to approach, or deigning them the slightest no- 

 tice. The same gentleman observes, that on Long Island it is 

 not a very numerous tribe. I have never myself shot the bird 

 at all in the United States, although I saw it last autumn very 

 late in the season, in large flocks on Lake Champlain. I am 

 assured, however, that on the western and southern streams, 

 which do not freeze at all, or not till very late in the winter, it 

 is very common and abundant. 



When it feeds on fresh waters, Mr. Wilson to the contrary 

 notwithstanding, no Duck, with but two or three exceptions, is 

 preferable to the Golden-Eye. 



