(316.5 
GOLDEN-EYE DUCK. 
FULIGULA CLANGULA, Bonap. 
PLATE CCCXLII. Mate anp FemMate. 
You have now before you another of our Ducks, which at least 
equals any of the rest in the extent of its migrations. Braving the blasts 
of the north, it visits the highest latitudes in spring, and returns at the 
approach of winter, spreading over the whole country, as if it seemed 
not to care in what region it spends its time, provided it find abundance 
of water. Now propelling itself gaily, it may be seen searching the 
pebbly or rocky bottom of the Ohio, or diving deep in the broad bays 
of Massachusetts or the Chesapeake. Presently it emerges with a 
cray-fish or a mussel held firmly in its bill. It shakes its head, and 
over its flattened back roll the large pearly drops of water, unable to 
penetrate the surface of its compact and oily plumage. The food is 
swallowed, and the bird, having already glanced around, suddenly 
plunges headlong. Happy being! Equally fitted for travelling through 
the air and the water, and not altogether denied the pleasure of walking 
on the shore ; endowed with a cunning, too, which preserves you from 
many at least of the attempts of man to destroy you; and instinctively 
sagacious enough to place your eggs deep in the hollow of a tree, 
where they are secure from the nocturnal prowler, and, amid the down . 
of your snowy breast, are fostered until the expected young come forth. 
Then with your own bill you carry your brood to the lake, where un- 
der your tender care they grow apace. The winged marauders, rapid 
as their flight may be, cannot injure you there ; for while your young 
ones sink into the deep waters, you arise on whistling wings, and, 
swifter than Jer Falcon, speed away. 
In South Carolina the Golden-eye is abundant during winter, when 
it at times frequents the reserves of the rice-planters. I have also met 
with it on the water-courses of the Floridas at that season. From 
these countries westward and northward, it may be found in all parts 
of the Union where the waters are not frozen. It is seldom seen on 
small ponds entirely surrounded by trees, but perfers open places, and 
