VOL. vn.] NOTES. 21 



numbers ? Whatever be the reason, it is curious that in 

 the case of the resident species, females exceed the males 

 in number. H. W. RoBiNSOTf. 



BARKOW'S GOLDENEYE AND THE COMMON 

 GOLDENEYE. 



Regarding the very interesting article on the above (Vol. 6, 

 p. 272-6) I had the pleasure of examining a couple of adult 

 male Barrow's Goldeneye {Nyroca islandica) sent from 

 Scalloway, in the Shetlands. They were forwarded to Mr. 

 Bristow of St. Leonards, who kindly showed me the letter 

 accompanjdng them, and afforded me every opportunity for 

 examination. 



The birds were shot on March 18th, 1913, as Common 

 Goldeneye {Nyroca c. dangula) and sent to Mr. Bristow as 

 such. The first thing I noticed about them was the cresent- 

 shaped white patch on the side of the head, which as will 

 be seen in the photograph is quite easily distinguished from 

 the smaller, and round patch, in the Common Goldeneye. 

 This is in itself enough to identify the bird when within 

 shooting distance, and to my idea a valuable point, as it 

 should save the wanton destruction of the Common Goldeneye, 



