160



Mr. Hubert D. Astley,



THE GOLDEN-EYE DUCK.


Glangula glaucion.


By Hubert D. Astley.


The Golden-eye is one of the most handsome of British

Ducks. Like the Scaup, it is only a winter visitor, but frequents

inland waters as well as the coast, whilst the Scaup prefers the

latter. On the Continent the Golden-eye breeds as far South as

Germany, Switzerland, and Bohemia.


It is curious that the adult males are so seldom seen in

England. As to whether this species has ever bred in Scotland,

seems to be doubtful, but Mr. A. G. More stated that a pair nested

in the hollow of an old larch tree at Loch Assyn—that is talking of

about 50 years ago—and that the nest with the young birds was

found by a shepherd. In Shetland also, a female with young

ones has been seen.


In Finland, Sweden, and Norway, it nests not infrequently in

boxes hung up in trees by the peasants.


The display of the males is worth seeing, the feathers of the

cheeks and crest being erected so as to enlarge the appearance of the

head; then the birds spring forwards, elevating the breast, after

which the neck is stretched out, and the bill pointing upwards is

opened, a rasping note being emitted. The head is then quickly

jerked back until it almost touches the root of the tail, and as

quickly brought to its normal position, whilst the bird springs for¬

ward, kicking the water in a spurt, and displaying the orange legs.


It is said that one male Golden-eye will drive away another

by diving and attacking his rival beneath the water. This sounds

effective, after the manner of a submarine.


I kept a pair of Golden-eye for some years on a lake (at

Benham Valence), in which was an island, with plenty of hollow

logs lying about beneath the trees. I was assured by the keeper

who fed the ducks that the female Golden-eye had laid four eggs in

one of these logs, and had been seen coming out; but I was away

at the time, and unable to verify the statement. If males were

pinioned, and females turned down with cut flights, one would think

that on growing them afresh, they ought to remain with their mates



