330 
NEW-YORK FAUNA-BIRDS. 
markings, as to have given rise to the popular belief that they belong to distinct species. It 
occurs throughout the United States in the autumn, winter and spring, proceeding to high 
northern latitudes in the summer to breed. Feeds on aquatic vegetables and insects. Its flesh 
is generally unsavory. The history of its incubation is incomplete. Its geographical range is 
between the 24th and 68th parallels of latitude, and it occurs equally along the shores of the 
Pacific. 
THE WHISTLER. 
Fuligula clangula. 
PLATE CXVI FIG. 257. 
(STATE COLLECTION.) 
Anas clangula. Wilson, Am. Orn. Vol. 8, p. 62, pi. 67, fig. 6 (male.) 
Clangula id. Bonaparte, Ann. Lyc. N. Y. Vol. 2, p. 393. 
Clangula vulgaris et barrovii. Richardson, F. B. A. Vol. 2, p. 441 and 453. Nuttall, Man. Orn. Vol. 2, p. 441. 
F. clangula. Audubon, B. of A. Vol. 6, p. 362. pi. 406. 
Clangula americana. Bonaparte, Geog. and Comp. List, p. 58. 
Characteristics. Mirror white; under wing-coverts black. Male, white ; back, wings and 
tail black ; head glossy purplish green : a white spot on each side of 
the head. Female, cinereous ; beneath white ; head and part of the 
neck drab : no white spot. Length, 18'5. 
Description. Bill nearly straight above along its upper ridge, slightly concave behind the 
tip, where it is slightly flattened : a pendant subcrest on the occiput. Nostrils medial, linear, 
and near the ridge. Tarsus stout, compressed, 1‘5 long. Tail short, and graduated with 
subacuminated feathers ; the middle feathers 3 - 5 long, the outer 2 - 5 : feathers of the flanks 
very long. 
Color. Male : Bill black : feet yellow ; the webs dusky. Head and upper part of the 
neck deep purplish green. Back, long inner scapulars, shoulders of the wing, primary 
coverts and quills black. Neck, shoulder, outer scapulars, coverts, secondaries and all be¬ 
neath white. An elliptical patch of white on the cheek ; beneath the eye, white. Tail hoary 
brown. Female, much smaller ; head and upper part of the neck dull reddish brown; above 
greyish brown ; wing-coverts, except at their bases, white ; body beneath white : bill dusky 
yellowish towards the tip. 
Length, 17'0-20 , 0. 
The Brass-eye, Whistler or Great-head, as it is variously termed in different parts of the 
country, is another northern species, which appears on the coast of this State in November, 
and extends its southwardly migration to Mexico. Mr. Audubon has observed its nest near 
Green Bay : the eggs were nine in number, of a greenish color. Its common popular 
name with us is derived from the whistling sound of its wings when in motion. It ranges 
