BIRDS OF NEW YORK 209 



Field marks. The Golden-eye can be recognized at a considerable dis- 

 tance, whether flying or on the water, by its stocky build, fluffy head, and 

 distinctly black and white coloration. Our other black and white ducks 

 with which it is sometimes confused by inexperienced observers, are the 

 sawbills and the Buffle-head; but the longer body and slender beak of the 

 mergansers give them an entirely different appearance, while the Buifle- 

 head is a much smaller bird, and the head though flviffy has a large white 

 patch on the back. A peculiar whistling sound made by the Golden-eye 

 when in flight is also an excellent characteristic, when combined with its shape 

 and coloration. It is, however, impossible to distinguish this species from 

 the Barrow golden-eye at a distance and the females and young of these two 

 species can only be determined by careful comparison and measurement. 



Distribution. The Golden-eye, Whistler, Brass-eye, Great -head, Garrot, 

 and Whistle-wing, as this species is called, inhabits the open waters of 

 every portion of New York State throughout the winter, arriving from the 

 north about the first of November and going north again about the last of 

 April, being one of the most characteristic winter ducks on our lakes and 

 rivers. Mr H. C. Higgins of Cincinnatus, N. Y., reports a young male 

 taken in Cortland county, July 15, 1899. Mr Barnum, in his list of the birds 

 of Onondaga county, mentions one case of its breeding there, but otherwise 

 it is not known to nest in this State outside of the Adirondack region, 

 where it has been recorded as a summer resident and as breeding by Dr 

 Merriam, and also by Ralph and Bagg, who found yotmg birds in Hamilton 

 county during the month of June 1878 and in 1879. 



The Whistler feeds mostly on shellfish and other aquatic animals 

 which it secures by diving, sometimes in water upward of 35 feet in depth. 

 It seems to delight in the coldest weather as long as its feeding grounds 

 are not frozen over, and every duck hunter is familiar with the resonant 

 whistle of its wings as it approaches his "blind" upon the frozen shore. 

 This bird is not highly prized for food, but young whistlers when properly 

 cooked are as good as bluebills. The note of the male Whistler is a single 

 peep, accompanied by a kicking up of the feet, while the head is thrown far 



