WILD DUCKS. 297 
the reeds near lakes and rivers. Its flesh is excellent, 
yet not more than a dollar a dozen can be obtained for it 
in the markets of the West, although each weighs con- 
siderably over a pound. It may be recognized by its 
blackish bill, which has two bands of pale-blue; its yel- 
low iris, reddish collar, and greenish-black head. The 
body is blackish, except the breast and sides, which are 
grayish-white, waved with grayish-brown; the tail is of 
the latter hue; the legs are grayish-blue; and the webs 
are brownish-black. The female closely resembles the 
female of the blue-bill, but has not her white face. She 
has a length of sixteen inches, being two inches less than 
the male. 
The whistler, golden-eye, or garrot (Bucephala clangu- 
la), which derives its first name from the fact that its 
wings produce a loud whistling noise when in motion, is 
common throughout the country, but does not congregate 
in such large flocks as the majority of the other species. 
Its flesh is palatable, yet few persons crave after it while 
better can be obtained with little trouble. The head of 
the male is puffy and of a rich green hue; there is a white 
spot in front of the eye; the lower neck, abdomen, sides, 
and wing-coverts are white; and the remainder of the 
body is blackish. The bill is black, except the tip, which 
is paler, it is shorter than the head, and is high at the 
base. The female has a brown head and gray sides and 
breast, and is two inches shorter than the male, being 
about sixteen inches long. This species does not decoy 
well to calls or stools, but some are often shot from blinds. 
The buffle head (Bucephala albeola), which rejoices in 
more names than a royal baby, is known as the butter- 
ball, dipper, salt-water teal, and devil diver. Although 
quite palatable, it is not pursued much, even when it 
alights to decoys, owing to its small size and rather 
coarse flesh. It is very common, and being exempt from 
the danger which threatens its more edible kindred, is 
