252 INDIAN DUCKS. 



In its actions and habits the Golden-eye seems to he very nuu-h like 

 the Pochard. Like them, it is a wonderful bird on the water as v/ell as in 

 it, and what I have said of the Tufted Pochard and its predilection for 

 diving and swimming, and, if possible, escaping by these means rather 

 than by flight, would equally well apply to this l)ird. Like the Pochard. 

 too, it is slow off the water, and rises at an oblique angle with great 

 splashing and commotion. Macgillivray says that it is capable of rising 

 off the water at one spring with the help of a breeze, i. e. ]jrobably with a 

 strong head wind, which, getting under it, would lift the bird at once. 



Unlike the Pochards, however, it is credited with being fairly active on 

 land, and the author just quoted says that they sometimes repose on spits 

 of land. 



As are the Pochards, so is this bird found alike on salt and fresh 

 waters, but there is no doubt that it })refers fresh water to salt. It would 

 seem that open waters are preferred to small enclosed pieces, and deep 

 clear water to shallow vegetation-covered pools and swamps. This, of 

 course, we should expect to be the case with a diving duck whose food 

 consists, as the Golden-eye's does, almost entirely of animal matter procured 

 by diving. 



It is said to feed on " Testaceous mollusca, Crustacea and fishes," also 

 on water insects and grubs, and, but not often, also on vegetable food, 

 principally deep-water weed-roots and similar articles. 



Its flight is swift and strong, and IMacgillivray says : " They fly with 

 rapidity in a direct manner ; their small, stiff, sharp-pointed wings 

 producing a whistling sound, which in cahn weather may be heard a 

 considerable distance." Sir Ralph Payne-Gallwey also notes : " The wings 

 of this species are so short and stiff in proportion to its weight and size, 

 and are forced to beat so quickly to project its body, that a distinct whistle 

 may be heard as it flies by." He also writes anent their diving powers : 

 " Scaup or Pochard that may have been under water at the moment of 

 firing, after finishing their dive for food at leisure, will startle the fow ler 

 by rising close to him as he pushes up to gather his cripj)les. Golden-eyes 

 seem to know when their companions are leaving the surface in flight, 

 and will at once spring up to follow and join the rest. I never knew 

 them incautiously rise within range after a shot, like the other species 

 alluded to." 



Mr. John Cordeaux (' Birds of the Huml)er District ') observes that 

 when diving they remain immersed on an average from 45 to 50 

 seconds. 



