88 GOLDEN-EYE. 



though for the most part in immature plumage, near Doncaster, 

 Hebden-Bridge, Barnsley, Leeds, York, Huddersfield, and 

 elsewhere. In Norfolk they are not uncommon about Yar- 

 mouth, that is to say young birds, the old ones only occurring 

 in severe weather. They are likewise met with in the fens 

 in Cambridgeshire; also on the Shropshire meres. In Oxford- 

 shire birds of this species not very unfrequently occur, but 

 chiefly females and young males. In Derbyshire some are 

 met with at times, though but rarely, on the Trent two 

 on the 9th. of March, 1848. 



Individuals have been met with near Lilford, Northampton- 

 shire, by the Hon. T. L. Powys, and others have occurred 

 elsewhere in the county. W. Brooks Gates, Esq. tells me of 

 one obtained at Weston Favell, near Northampton, the 

 beginning of February, 1855. In Lincolnshire on Croxby 

 Lake. In Sussex near Lewes. In the winter of 1847, Mr. 

 M. C. Cooke informs me that one was shot, an immature 

 bird, at Swanscombe, in Kent. In Cornwall it is scarce 

 near Falmouth, but has occurred at Gwyllyn Yase, and one 

 was shot near the former place January the 29th., 1848. In 

 Durham one, a male, was shot near Stoekton-on-Tees, on the 

 26th. of February, 1853; another at Bishop Auckland. 



In Orkney and Shetland they are frequent; so also in 

 Ireland. 



They migrate the end of October and beginning of 

 November, and again towards the end of March or beginning 

 of April. Their numbers with us are regulated by the com- 

 parative severity or mildness of the winter. At the spring 

 of the year they repair to the inland lochs. 



They frequently unite ki small flocks in winter. The old 

 males are shy, but the females and their broods are less so. 

 When they have been frequenting fresh water for some time, 

 they become very good to eat. A female Golden-Eye has been 

 preserved on the water in St. James's Park. 



The Golden-Eye is strong and vigorous on the wing, and 

 a whistling sound, peculiar to it, and from which one of its 

 trivial names is derived, the wings being struck quickly and 

 as if with effort, is produced by its flight. It dives with 

 great expertness, and is below the surface on the slightest 

 alarm. On the water it swims low. Meyer says 'When it 

 dives it has been observed to raise itself again quickly by 

 touching the bottem with its tail, and this it does so fre- 

 quently that in many instances it will be found that the 



