Duck-shooting 147 



table matter, in the South delighting in the rice- 

 fields ; hence the character of the flesh varies. 

 Among the wildest of our ducks, they are quick 

 to appreciate protection. On the Charles River, 

 flocks of these birds are seen through the winter 

 feeding in close proximity to the docks and 

 bridges of Boston. 



The golden-eye has a variety of names : whis- 

 tler, whistle wing, whiffler, spirit duck, bullhead ; 

 in Louisiana, plongeur. 



BARROW'S GOLDEN-EYE 



(Clangula islandica) 



Adult male Head, crest, and upper part of neck, glossy bluish 

 black with blue reflections ; a crescentric-shaped white patch at 

 the base of bill ; lower part of neck and under parts, pure white ; 

 upper parts, black ; outer row of scapulars, with oblong white 

 spots ; a lengthened white patch on the wing ; bases of greater 

 wing-coverts, black, forming a bar across the white portion ; 

 feathers of sides and flanks, white with outer edges black ; tail, 

 black ; bill, black ; feet and legs, orange, with dusky webs ; 

 iris, yellow. 



Measure?nents Length, 22 inches; wing, 9 inches; tarsus, 1.50 

 inches; culmen, 1.30 inches; height of bill, at base, I inch. 



Adult female Head and neck, brown, darkest on top of he^d and 

 back of neck ; a narrow white collar at base of neck ; upper 

 parts, brownish black ; feathers of back, edged with gray ; 

 white patch on wing, crossed by black bar ; upper part of breast 

 and sides, gray ; rest of under parts, white ; bill, horn color ; 

 legs and feet, pale orange ; webs, dusky. 



Measurements Length, 20 inches ; wing, 8.40 inches ; culmen, 1 .50 

 inches ; height of bill at base, .90 inch. 



This bird resembles the female of the common golden-eye, but 

 is somewhat larger. According to Ridge way, it can be distin- 



