605 



and probably breeds in the Eocky Mountains. It occurs in Alaska ; Mr. Dail says that it was 

 obtained by Bischoff at Sitka, and rarely on the Yukon. 



In habits the present species is said to resemble the common Golden-eye ; but it is not so 

 good a diver as that bird. Holboll says that it cannot dive in deeper water than the Harlequin, 

 and is generally seen on the fjords. In Greenland, where this gentleman met with it, it is, he 

 adds, the most wary of all the waterfowl, and it is with the greatest difficulty that one can 

 approach within gunshot-range of it ; his collectors only obtained specimens by concealing 

 themselves near where it feeds, on nights when the moon gives light enough to see to shoot. In 

 the spring it appears in pairs, and flies so high that it is seldom shot. 



Like the Golden-eye it breeds in holes, though not in trees (for there are no forests in 

 Iceland), but amongst the stones or in holes in the walls of houses. Dr. Kriiper says (Naumannia, 

 1857, i. p. 40) that it is common at Myvatn, in Iceland, and breeds on almost all the islands, 

 making use of the holes amongst the volcanic debris ; and he also found a nest in a hole in a 

 house. It commences breeding in May or early in June ; and eggs may be found until the 

 middle of July. The nest cannot be mistaken for that of any other Duck, as the down with 

 which the nest is lined is pure white. The female sits very close, and may usually be captured 

 on the nest. The eggs, from nine to twelve in number, resemble those of the common Golden- 

 eye, but are larger, those in my collection averaging 2^ by l-f$ inch in size. 



The specimens figured are an adult male from the Bay of Fundy and an adult female from 

 Iceland, both of which are in my own collection. 



In the preparation of the above article I have examined the following specimens: — 



E Mm. H. E. Dresser, 

 a, 6, b, $. Iceland {Proctor), c, 6 ad. Bay of Fundy, winter of 1866 (G. A. Boardman). d, 6 juv. Catala, 

 Valencia, Spain, December 22nd, 1871 (H. Saunders) . 



E Mus. Brit. Reg. 

 a, b. Iceland. 



2f 



