368 NATATORES. CLANGULA. GARROT. 



the piebald disposition of his colours. In this state, how- 

 ever, he is in this country rather of rare occurrence ; the 

 great body of those that visit our coasts being either females 

 or young males in different stages of advancement, both of 

 which are generally known and distinguished by the name 

 of Mor'dlons. The Golden-Eye is a winter visitant, but its 

 numbers are regulated by the severity or mildness of the sea- 

 son, being always most abundant under the former state of 

 weather. This remark may be applied to all the arctic Ana- 

 tid<z, their migration southward being gradually extended in 

 consequence of their being frozen out of food in the districts 

 they habitually frequent. This species is usually seen in 

 small flocks or societies upon our lakes and larger rivers, 

 and occasionally upon the coast, near to the mouths of 

 streams. It flies with great strength and rapidity, giving in- 

 timation of its approach by the whistling noise of its wings, 

 as it passes through the air. It is remarkably active on the 

 water, swimming and diving with equal facility ; by the lat- 

 ter mode, indeed, it obtains a great proportion of its food, 

 Food. v j z aquatic insects, worms, molluscous animals, fry of fish, 

 Sec. From the quickness with which it plunges, and the 

 distance to which it dives, it is very difficult to kill when 

 afloat, and the introduction of the detonating lock has alone 

 given the water-fowl shooter any chance against it, as it con- 

 stantly dived at the flash of the pan, and was fairly beneath 

 the surface, before the shot could reach the place of aim. 

 On this account the present and other species of Clangula 

 have obtained among the natives in America the name of 

 Conjuring or Spirit Ducks. Upon the land it proceeds in 

 a shuffling ungainly manner, from the backward position of 

 the legs, and the great size of its feet. It is a native of the 

 Arctic Regions, and is widely spread over those of the new, 

 as well as of the old continent. In summer it retires to 

 high northern latitudes, and breeds upon the banks of the 

 Nest, &c. i a k es an( j rivers of the interior. Its nest is made in the 

 rushes or other coarse herbage, or sometimes (where suitable 



