Golden-Eye. 493 



Heneage possesses two specimens which were shot at Lyneham 

 in 1870 and 1883, and it is most probable that other instances 

 which have not come to my notice have occurred. This species 

 breeds in Lapland in holes in the trees, or in tyllas, or nest boxes, 

 generally portions of hollow wood which the natives affix to the 

 trees, often at a considerable height above ground, and I have 

 eggs in my collection taken from such a situation by my lamented 

 friend Mr. John Wolley, who was so keen and accurate an ob- 

 server, and did so much for Ornithology, and had already earned 

 for himself a European reputation, as a master in natural science, 

 and would undoubtedly (had his life been spared) have proved 

 one of the first naturalists of the day. This duck is also known 

 as the ' Morillon,' which at the beginning of this century was the 

 name bestowed on the female and immature bird, from the 

 supposition that they belonged to another species : and St. John 

 to the last maintained that the Golden-Eye and Morillon are 

 distinct : * but the contrary has been authoritatively determined, 

 and the question is no longer to be entertained. So active are 

 they in the water, and so rapid in their movements, and so easily 

 do they dive at the flash of the gun, and so avoid the shot, that 

 in America they are called ' Conjuring/ or ' Spirit Ducks :' but 

 they are awkward enough on land, and their gait shuffling and 

 ungainly, owing to the large size of their feet. Their old name 

 was Garrot, as it is still in France ; in Germany, Schelle Ente ; 

 and in some parts of England ' Curre,' in regard to which 

 Colonel Hawker says, ' If you see a single Curre by day, when he 

 dives, you must run ; and the moment he comes up, squat down ; 

 so you may go on till within ten yards of him.' t The specific 

 name, clangula, 'noisy,' may possibly refer to the rapid beating 

 of the wings and the distinct whistling sound so caused; and 

 hence perhaps they may be called ' Rattlewings/ 'Whistle-wing,' 

 and 'Whistler'; some, however, think the latter term has reference 

 to the voice, which is very loud. It is also known as the ' Magpie 

 Diver/ a very descriptive name, by reason of the black and white 



* 'Highland Sports/ p. 132. 



f 'Instructions to Young Sportsmen.' 



