North American Birds Eggs. 



77 



152. Barrow Golden-eye. Claiigula islandim. 



Range.— Northern North America, breeding north of the United States ex- 

 cept from the mountainous portions of Colorado northward. 



This Golden-eye differs from the preceding chiefly in tire shape of the white 

 spot before the eye, which in this species is in the form of a crescent. The size 

 is the same, about 20 inches in length. The reflections on the head are purplish 

 rather than greenish as in the preceding. The nesting habits are the same, 

 they building in hollow trees near water. The six to ten eggs are not different 

 from the preceding. Size 2.. SO x 1.65. Data.— Alfusa, Iceland, June 30, 1900. 

 Seven eggs. Nest of grass and down in a box attached to a tree by an islander. 



153. Buffle-head. Charitimetta albeola. 



Range. — North America, breeding 

 from United States northward. Win- 

 ters south to Mexico. 



Gunners know this handsome little 

 duck by the names of "Butter-ball," 

 and "Dipper," a name also given to 

 Grebes. It is quite similar, butsmall- 

 er (15 in. long), to the American 

 Golden-eye but fias a large white patch 

 on the back of the head, from eye to 

 eye. It is an active bird and, like the 

 two preceding, is capable of diving to a 

 great depth to get its food. Its nesting 

 habits are like the preceding. Eggs 

 eight to fourteen. Size2. xl.40. Data. — 

 Alberta, Canada, June 6, 181)il. Seven 

 eggs. Nest in hole in tree stump, 

 lined with down. Collector, Dr. George. 



>^ 



Dull buff.) 



I 54. Old-squaw. Harddu Iiyemalis. 



Range.— Northern Hemisphere, breeding in the Arctic regions; south in win- 

 ter to New Jersey and Illinois. 



[Buff.l 



The Long-tailed Duck, as it is called, is 

 especially noticeable because the breeding 

 plumage of the male differs markedly 

 from that in tlie winter. In summer 

 tlieir general plumage is blackish brown, 

 with a white patch around the eye, and 

 white belly. In winter they are largely 

 white. The central tail feathers are much 

 lengthened. They breed abundantly in 

 Greenland, Alaska and the Hudson Bay 

 Territory, placing their nests of grasses 

 and weeds on the ground near the water. 

 It is generally concealed in the long grass. 

 The eggs number from six to twelve. 

 Size 2.' X 1.50. Data.— N. Iceland, June 

 10, 1900. Nest on ground, lined with 

 down. Collector, S. H. Wallis. 



