132 WILD SPORTS OF THE HIGHLANDS. [CHAP. xvi. 



The golden-eye, Anas clangula, and themorillon,are common 

 about the mouth of the river and burns. I have often heard it 

 argued that these two birds are merely the same species in dif- 

 ferent degrees of maturity ; but I do not consider that there is 

 the least doubt as to their being quite distinct. I have frequently 

 shot what I suppose to be the young golden-eye not arrived at 

 its full plumage ; but in these the white spot at the corner of the 

 mouth is more or less visible. The birds are larger than the 

 morillon, besides which the golden-eye, in whatever stage of 

 maturity it is found, always makes that peculiar noise with its 

 wings, when flying, which is not heard in the flight of the mo- 

 rillon, or of any other kind of duck. I remember too, once 

 watching a pair of morillons in a Highland loch, late in the 

 spring ; they had evidently paired, and were come to the age of 

 maturity, and ready for breeding. 



The golden-eye dives well, remaining a considerable time 

 under water seeking its food, which consists of the small shellfish 

 which it finds at the bottom. The morillon frequents the same 

 places as the golden-eye, but always remains singly or in pairs, 

 whereas the latter birds frequently unite in small flocks, particu- 

 larly when they take to the inland lochs, which they do at the 

 commencement of the spring. The golden-eye is frequently 

 very fat and heavy, but is of a rank, coarse flavour. 



The goosander and merganser fish constantly in the river : 

 they remain late in the spring and return early in the autumn. 

 Quick-sighted, they perceive an enemy at a great distance and 

 keep a watch on all his movements. As long as he remains in 

 full view and at a safe distance the birds do not move ; but the 

 moment the sportsman conceals himself, or approaches too near, 

 they rise and go out to sea. They are easily killed by sending 

 a person above them, and concealing oneself some way down the 

 course of the stream, as when put up, although they may at 

 first fly a short way up the water, they invariably turn down- 

 wards and repair to the open sea, following the windings of the 

 river during their whole flight. If winged, they instantly dive, 

 and rise at a considerable distance, keeping only their heads 

 above the water, and making for the sea as fast as they can. 



They feed on small trout and eels, which they fish for at the 

 tails of the streams or in comparatively shallow water, unlike 



