330 NEW-YORK FAUNA — BIRDS. 



markings, as to have given rise to the popular belief that they belong to distinct species. It 

 occurs throughout the United States in the autumn, winter and spring, proceeding to high 

 northern latitudes in the summer to breed. Feeds on aquatic vegetables and insects. Its flesh 

 is generally unsavory. The history of its incubation is incomplete. Its geographical range is 

 between the 24th and 68th parallels of latitude, and it occurs equally along the shores of the 

 Pacific. 



THE WHISTLER. 



FuLIGULA CLANGULA. 

 PLATE CXVI FIG. S57. 



(STATE COLLECTION.) 



Anas clangula. Wilson, Am. Orn. Vol.8, p. 62, pi. 67, fig. 6 (male.) 



Clangula id. Bonaparte, Ann. Lye. N. Y. Vol. 2, p. 393. 



Clangula vulgaris et barrmii. Richardson, F. B. A. Vol. 2, p. 441 and 453. Nuttall, Man. Om. Vol. 2, p. 441. 



F. clangula. Audubon, B. of A. Vol. 6, p. 362, pi. 406. 



Clangula americana. Bonaparte, Geog. and Comp. List, p. 58. 



Characteristics. Mirror white ; under wing-coverts black. Male, white ; back, wings and 

 tail black ; head glossy purplish green : a white spot on each side of 

 the head. Female, cinereous ; beneath white ; head and part of the 

 neck drab : no white spot. Length, 18-5. 



Description. Bill nearly straight above along its upper ridge, slightly concave behind the 

 tip, where it is slightly flattened : a pendant subcrest on the occiput. Nostrils medial, linear, 

 and near the ridge. Tarsus stout, compressed, 1 ' 5 long. Tail short, and graduated with 

 subacuminated feathers ; the middle feathers 3" 5 long, the outer 2 - 5: feathers of the flanks 

 very long. 



Color. Male : Bill black : feet yellow ; the webs dusky. Head and upper part of the 

 neck deep purplish green. Back, long inner scapulars, shoulders of the wing, primary 

 coverts and quills black. Neck, shoulder, outer scapulars, coverts, secondaries and all be- 

 neath white. An elliptical patch of white on the cheek ; beneath the eye, white. Tail hoary 

 brown. Female, much smaller ; head and upper part of the neck dull reddish brown ; above 

 greyish brown ; wing-coverts, except at their bases, white ; body beneath white : bill dusky 

 yellowish towards the tip. 



Length, 17' 0-20-0. 



The Brass-eye, Whistler or Great-head, as it is variously termed in different parts of the 

 country, is another northern species, which appears on the coast of this State in November, 

 and extends its southwardly migration to Mexico. Mr. Audubon has observed its nest near 

 Green Bay : the eggs were nine in number, of a greenish color. Its common popular 

 name with us is derived from the whistling sound of its wings when in motion. It ranges 



