228 ANATID^. 



and when in the air flies with such force and velocity 

 that the sound of its wings is heard at a great distance. 



With all this apparent dash and boldness it is a very 

 wary and cunning bird, and one of their number is in- 

 variably on sentry while the rest of the flock are feeding, 

 so that they are not easily approached. 



They do not migrate regularly at set seasons, like 

 other ducks, but seem to move in a very partial and 

 uncertain manner; and as they are evidently indifferent 

 to the most rigorous winters, their migrations at these 

 times would appear to be occasioned solely by the 

 necessity of finding fresh feeding grounds. 



The nest of the Golden Eye is found among rocks and 

 stones, and even at times in the trunks of hollow trees, 

 at some height from the ground. In this case the young 

 must of course be carried by the mother to the water, as 

 with the wood-duck already described. The eggs are 

 about ten in number and perfectly white ; they are 

 generally covered over with down, which the female takes 

 for that purpose from her own breast. 



The plumage of the head and neck in the drake is 

 green, with a violet gloss ; a small but conspicuous patch 

 of pure white near the bill has a singular appearance. 

 The feathers on the crown of the head are lengthened 

 into what may be called a crest, and the eye is a beau- 

 tiful golden yellow, whence the bird's name. The lower 



