462 NIAGARA RIVER AND THE DUCKS. 



freeze over, some species remain from fall till spring. In 

 March, or early in April, about Grand Island, Buckhorn 

 and Navy Islands, the Golden-eye, or Whistler, is one of the 

 characteristics of the locality. It may be seen in fair-sized 

 flocks, or in immense ones of many hundreds, diving about 

 feeding places, after its usual manner of obtaining its 

 favorite cray-fish, the claws and other remains of which are 

 always to be found in its gizzard; to which diet it may add 

 small mollusks, frogs, tadpoles and fishes. When thus 

 engaged, and not in fear of molestation, they are indeed 

 a merry company, the very picture of soul and energy, 

 and thrifty contentment, each one staying under the 

 water a half minute at a time and remaining above only 

 about seven seconds. What a charm there is in watching 

 a Duck dive ! Every pulse of the observer is quickened as 

 the sprightly creature plunges under. Very frequently the 

 whole flock is under the water at once. Generally several 

 sentinels remain on guard. Every now and then, on 

 coming up, the male will throw up his head and utter a 

 low, guttural chuckle. This is probably his courting note, 

 and is the only vocal performance one hears from these 

 birds during their stay. They like to dive in swift currents 

 for their food, and then gradually work upward in the 

 stream. They are particularly at home in streams and 

 rivers, and visit the smaller as well as the larger currents. 

 The Golden-eye decoys well, especially any stray one which 

 may be flying about; but it is exceedingly shy and keen- 

 eyed. When the shot misses it on the water, or it is sud- 

 denly alarmed, it dives readily, darting out of the water in 

 a few seconds with surprising velocity. It is one of the 

 swiftest of all the Ducks in flight. Audubon estimated its 

 speed at ninety miles an hour. One is always advised of 

 its flight by the sharp whistling sound of its pointed wings, 



