Family ANATID^. Genus Fuligula. 



Subfamily Fuligulinm. 



GOLDEN-EYE. 



FULIGULA CLANGULA— (Zz«««2<5). 



Geographical Distribution. — British: Common winter 

 visitor to the coasts and inland waters of the British Islands, in- 

 cluding the Orkneys and Shetlands, but in the Outer Hebrides it 

 is perhaps less numerous. Equally common in Ireland, both 

 inland and on the coast. The statement that this bird has bred 

 in a hollow tree in Sutherlandshire is still unconfirmed, as is also 

 Saxby's opinion that it bred in the Shetlands. Foreign : Circum- 

 polar, northern Palaearctic and Nearctic regions, more southerly 

 in winter ; small portion of Oriental region in winter. Rare in 

 the Faroes, and only recently proved to inhabit Iceland. Breeds 

 throughout the Arctic and subarctic regions of Europe and 

 Asia as far north as the limit of forest growth. In Europe it 

 breeds as far south as Northern Germany, Pomerania, and the 

 Caucasus ; in Asia it does so throughout Siberia south of the 

 limits already given. During winter it visits the coasts of 

 Western Europe and the basin of the Mediterranean, but is very 

 rare on the southern shores. The basin of the Black and Caspian 

 Seas are also winter quarters of this species. The birds breed- 

 ing in Siberia pass Mongolia on migration (although those 

 inhabiting the Baikal basin are said to be resident, and many 

 remain to winter in Mongolia), and spend the cold season in 

 Turkestan, Upper India, China, and Japan. In the Nearctic 

 region it breeds in British North America and Alaska, up to the 

 limit of forest growth, and winters in the Southern States, Mexico, 

 and parts of the West Indies. 



Allied Forms. — The Nearctic Golden-eyes have been 



