20 Contributions from the Charleston Museum. 



52. Clangula clangula americana (Bonap.) . Golden-eye. 



The American Golden-eye winters abundantly on the coast, 

 preferring salt or brackish water, where it obtains a small mussel 

 which appears to be its favorite food. It arrives during the 

 early part of December and remains until the first week in April. 



The old males predominate, generally going about in small 

 flocks of from six to ten. They are so shy that I have never been 

 able to shoot an adult drake. Numbers of these ducks winter 

 near the head of the Wando River and the drakes always pre- 

 dominate; but, as they are constantly on the alert, even in the 

 coldest weather, it is hard to approach them closer than three 

 hundred yards. 



When it leaves the water, the Golden-eye almost always flies 

 very low for a hundred yards or more, when it rises to a great 

 height. In calm weather, the whistling of its wings can be heard 

 plainly for more than half a mile. The flesh is unfit for food, 

 being rank and fishy. 



53. Charitonetta albeola (Linn.). Buffle-head. 



This species is an exceedingly abundant winter visitant, arriving 

 early .in November and remaining until the second week in April. 

 The adult males are very hard to obtain and are always out- 

 numbered by young males and females. These ducks frequently 

 resort to freshwater ponds, but they appear to prefer the salt 

 water at all times while on this coast. As a diver, the Buffle- 

 head equals the Golden-eye or the Horned Grebe, in the com- 

 pany of which it is frequently seen. 



This diminutive species breeds from Maine and Wisconsin 

 northward to the limit of trees. 



54. Harelda hyemalis (Linn.). Old-squaw. 



This boreal species is usually rare as far south as the latitude 

 of Charleston, but during very severe winters it is frequently to 

 be seen in positive abundance. 



Audubon, in Birds of America, 1 says: 



My friend Bachman informs me that he has never seen one with any appear- 

 ance of the summer plumage at Charleston in South Carolina, where however, he 

 adds, this species is not common. 



Mr. Ellison A. Smyth, Jr., has recorded in the Auk '' three 

 specimens of this duck; two having been shot by Mr. Henry Hun- 



1 VT, 382. 'Auk, V, 1888J203. 



