44 LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS — ANSERES. 



with the age and vigor of the parents." In 1876 he took a nest of ten eggs, which 

 contained large embryos, and also another set of six; another clutch (that sent to 

 the Museum) consisted of seven. He writes that he has met with several young 

 broods numbering from six to eight, and one of ten. These birds nest in hollow 

 trees ; and it is surprising to see in what small cavities they in some instances can 

 accommodate themselves. The following season he examined a great many trees, 

 and every one that had a suitable opening either contained an occupant or indicated 

 former nesting by egg-shells and other marks. 



This species is not known to occur in California ; but Dr. Cooper has no doubt that 

 it will yet be found among the mountains of the northeastern portion of the State. 

 Mr. Dall speaks of it as present, but rare, on the Yukon River ; and specimens were 

 obtained by Bischoff at Sitka. An individual was taken by Mr. M. McLeod in the 

 vicinity of Fort Anderson, June 29, 1863. On the 14th of June, 1864, Mr. MacFar- 

 lane obtained a male example at Fort Anderson. It had been in the habit of flying 

 over the fort for several evenings in su^ccession, and was at length shot on a small 

 lake. The female, without doubt, had her nest somewhere in the vicinity, but she 

 eluded his endeavors to discover the place. Mr. MacFarlane adds that this species 

 may be classed among the rarest of the Ducks visiting that region. 



Mr. C. W. Sheperd, in his visit to Iceland, found this Duck breeding on a small 

 island in the Lake of My-vatn, in the northern part of that island. This islet was 

 occupied almost exclusively by two species — the Golden-eye and the 3Ierfjiis serrator. 

 The soil was composed of broken lava, and both species were breeding in holes, some 

 of their nests being entirely out of reach, in the cracks and crevices of the lava. The 

 two species were found to live together in the most familiar manner, and upon the 

 best of terms. A female Merganser was found sitting on a nest evidently not her 

 own, but which contained four eggs belonging to B. islandicus ; the difference between 

 the eggs of the two species being so strongly marked as to admit of no possibility of 

 confounding them. 



Two eggs of this species from the Yukon (Smithsonian Institution, No. 9547) 

 measure 2.40 by 1.60 inches, and 2.40 by 1.70; two from Iceland (Smithsonian Insti- 

 tution, No. 13409), 2.55 by 1.80, and 2.45 by 1.80. They are of a uniform deep grayish 

 pea-green color. 



Clangula glaucion americana. 



THE AMERICAN GOLDEN-EYE. 



Anas clangula, Wils. Am. Oni. VIII. 1814, 62, pi. 67, fig. 5. 



FuUgula clangula, Bonai. Synop. 1828, 393. — Nutt. Man. II. 1834, 441. — AuD. Orn. Biog. IV. 



1838, 318, pi. 342 ; Synop. 1839, 292 ; B. Am. VI. 1843, 362, pi. 406 (includes islandica). 

 Bucephala clangula, CouES, Key, 1872, 290 ; Check List, 1873, no. 505 ; B. N. W. 1874,576. 

 Clangula glaucium, CouES, Check List, 2d ed. 1882, no. 725. 

 Clangula vulgaris, Sw. & Rich. F. B. A. II. 1831, 456. 

 Clangula americana, Bonap. Comp. List, 1838, 58. 



Bucciilaila americana, Baird, B. N. Am. 1858, 796 ; Cat. N. Ava. B. 1859, no. 593. 

 Clangula gla\icium americana, RiDGW. Pr. U. S. Nat. Mus. Vol. 3, 1880, 204 ; Nom. N. Am. B. 



1881, no. 620. 



Hab. The Avhole of North America, breeding from Maine and the British Provinces, north- 

 ward ; south to Cuba in winter. 



Sp. Char. Adult male : Head and upper half of neck black, glossed with dark green, varying 

 to violet ; a roundish white spot between the rictus and the eye, but not reaching to the latter ; 

 back, inner scapulars, teitials, rump, and upper tail-coverts, deep black ; lower half of the neck 



