THE GOLDEN EYE. 227 



It is easily identified by the extraordinary and even 

 marvellous quickness with which it dives at the slightest 

 alarm. 



On this account, as well as from its extremely rapid 

 flight, it is not an easy bird to kill, and as the flesh is not 

 remarkable for excellence the two facts together secure 

 it a comparative immunity from destruction, so that it is 

 very abundant. 



The feathers of the head and upper portion of the 

 neck are considerably inflated, and give these parts the 

 appearance of being much larger than they are in reality ; 

 this and their somewhat woolly look have obtained for 

 the bird the appellation of " Buffalo-head," of which 

 Buffel-head is a corruption. The green and purple of 

 these feathers is varied by a white patch behind the eye ; 

 the back is black, the wings black and white, and the 

 breast and under parts pure white. The bill, legs, and 

 feet are a bluish slate colour. 



The Buffel-head breeds in the north of Canada, arid 

 up to much higher latitudes, and its nests are not 

 unfrequently found in hollow trees by the water side. 



An exceedingly pretty bird, though not superior to 

 the above in a gastronomic point of view, is the Golden 

 Eye (Bucephala Americana) which also frequents both 

 salt and fresh water. It is a most active and vigorous* 

 bird, constantly diving and swimming about very rapidly, 



Q 2 



