352 NATATORES. 



THE COMMON GARROT, OR GOLDEN EYE (Clctngula V 



These birds appear on our shores, and occasionally on the 

 inland waters, in the winter season, though not in any con- 

 siderable numbers ; and though the majority of them retire 

 far to the north in summer, a few are supposed to remain 

 and breed in more temperate places. They are handsome 

 birds, very strikingly contrasted in their plumage, and light 

 and active in their motions. 



Length about eighteen inches, breadth about thirty-one, 

 weight about a pound and three quarters. Bill bluish ; head 

 and upper part of the neck (the feathers of the former thick 

 and produced, forming a sort of crest) deep glossy green, with 

 purple reflections ; the iris bright yellow, appearing very 

 conspicuous in the deep green ; a conspicuous white spot 

 immediately behind the gape ; green on the neck, termi- 

 nating in front in a collar of velvet black. The lower part of 

 the neck and all the under part white, excepting a few black 

 feathers on the flanks and thighs ; wings brownish black, the 

 coverts and secondaries white, crossed in the middle with a 

 black line ; some of the scapularies white and produced, others 

 and the tertiaries black ; back and rump black, the margins 

 of some feathers on the latter brownish ; tail brownish. In 

 the female the head is brown, and the plumage of the upper 

 part dusky, relieved with ash colour on the margins. The 

 white spot at the gape does not appear in the males till the 

 second year. They are graceful swimmers, and expert 

 divers, living on small aquatic animals, including reptiles 

 and even water-mice. They fly swiftly, but low, and with a 

 whistling noise. 



THE HARLEQUIN DUCK, OR HARLEQUIN GARROT 



( Clangula li istrionica). 

 Inhabits more northerly than the former ; is smaller in 



