io8 THE FOWLER IN IRELAND. 



On the south coast I have noticed from one to 

 five hundred dark-coloured Goldeneyes with only a 

 couple of light ones among them. 



The young birds and females are still known as 

 " Morillon " in various localities, and even to this 

 day are thought by some shooters to be a distinct 

 species. They are chiefly shot by fowlers who lie 

 hidden among stones and banks along shore ; for 

 approaching them on the water is usually a waste of 

 time, and when obtained they are unfit for food. 



Goldeneyes very seldom paddle away from a punt, 

 but prefer rising, which they will do at a long 

 distance if pursued. They do not swim low and 

 buried, like Scaup and Pochard, on any occasion, 

 except of course when wounded ; and though the 

 latter are not often seen on wing save when put 

 up, Goldeneyes continually fly restlessly to and 

 fro, especially in windy weather. They are quite 

 as expert in diving as Scaup and Pochard. They 

 seem to have the power when rising from the 

 bottom to spring on wing into the air with the same 

 upward shoot. They do not appear to hesitate a 

 couple of seconds on the surface to recover breath 

 ere flying, as will Scaup and Pochard. When set- 

 ting to a number of Goldeneyes you will remark 

 that the old black-and-white males exhibit far more 

 caution than the others. They will rise from the 

 midst of the gathering with a great splashing and 

 wing-whistling, leaving the rest to follow when 

 danger more closely threatens. 



To get within shot of a number of Goldeneyes 

 is an unusual feat on open water. The man, or 

 men, and punt that can do this need not fear failure 



