THE BARROW GOLDEN-EYE. 609 



from the water, and as they rise in rapid circles to gain a view of some 

 distant goal, they sow the air with vibrant whistling sounds. Owing to a 

 difference in wing-beats between male and female, the brief moment when the 

 wings strike in unison with the effect of a single bird, is followed by an ever- 

 changing syncopation which challenges the waiting ear to tell if it does not 

 hear a dozen birds instead of only two. Again, in the dim twilight of early 

 morning, while the birds are moving from a remote and secure lodging place, 

 to feed in some favorite stretch of wild water, one guesses at their early industry 

 from the sound of multitudinous wings above contending with the cold ether. 

 The Golden-eye is a rather rare winter resident, but is better known as 

 an early spring and late fall migrant. It moves north with the Mallard and 

 the Green- winged Teal, and frequently does not retire in the fall until driven 

 down by closed waters. It is found chiefly about the most retired stretches 

 of open water or upon Lake Erie, and is exceedingly wary. The bird loves 

 chilly waters and dashing spray, and very much prefers the rock-bound shores 

 of mountain lochs, or the crunch and roar of icebergs to the milder com- 

 panionship of sighing sycamores and waving sedge. 



No. 299. 



BARROW GOLDEN-EYE. 



A. O. U. No. 152. Clangula islandica (Gmel.). 



Synonyms. WHISTLER ; GARROT. 



Description. Adult male : Similar to preceding species, but gloss of head 

 strongly blue-black or purplish ; a triangular loral white spot continuous with 

 base of bill on sides and exceeding it above and below; white wing-patch crossed 

 by transverse bar of back ; and white of scapulars somewhat less extensive ; tip of 

 bill surrounding nail orange. Adult female : Presenting only trifling differences 

 from that of the preceding species ; bill of slightly different proportions, averaging 

 stubbier and with slightly broader nail ; the tips of the greater coverts blackish ; 

 bill as in male. Size of preceding, but averaging nearer the larger dimensions. 

 Upper mandible from frontal angle to edge of tomia .92 (23.4) ; from anterior 

 margin of white spot to anterior angle of nostril .88 (22.4) ; from anterior angle 

 of nostril to tip of bill .64 (16.3) (male). Similar dimensions of female .78 

 (19.8); .75 (19.1); .70 (17.8). 



Recognition Marks. Mallard size; black and white coloration; triangular, 

 or open-wing-shaped white spot at base of bill on side ; head with purplish gloss. 

 Female like preceding, distinguishable with certainty only by blackish tips of 

 greater coverts. 



Nesting. Does not breed in Ohio. Nest and Eggs like those of preceding 

 species. Av. of eggs, 2.47 x 1.77 ( 62.7 x 45.). 



