AMERICAN GOLDEN-EYE. 349 



The Buffle-head ranges over this entire continent, breeding from 

 about latitude 45° northward, and wintering from Massachusetts 

 and the Great Lakes southward ; it is more abundant in the West 

 than near the Atlantic. Thompson reports it a common summer 

 resident of Manitoba. 



AMERICAN GOLDEN-EYE. 



WHISTLER. 

 GlAUCIONETTA CLANGULA AMERICANA. 



Char. Male : upper parts black, the head with green reflections ; a 

 round patch between the bill and eyes ; wings varied with white ; lower 

 neck and under parts white ; bill black ; legs and feet orange, with dusky 

 webs. Length 19 to 23 inches. Female : upper parts brown, back, breast, 

 and sides varied with gray ; belly dull white ; wing-patch white ; bill, 

 legs, and feet dull orange, webs dusky. Smaller than the male, — length 

 about 17 inches. Young birds resemble the female. 



Nest. In a hollow tree or stump, made of leaves and moss, and lined 

 with down. 



Eggs. 5-12 ; bright green when fresh, but fading to a dull ashy green ; 

 2.40 X 1.70. 



The Golden-eye is a common inhabitant of the boreal re- 

 gions of both continents, from whence it migrates in small 

 flocks at the approach of winter, accompanying the Velvet, 

 Surf Duck, and Scoter in their desultory route in quest of sub- 

 sistence. On their way, soon after the commencement of their 

 adventurous voyage, these birds visit the shores of Hudson 

 Bay and congenial lakes in the interior, on which they linger, 

 feeding on tender and small shell-fish until debarred by the 

 invasion of frost. They breed in all parts of the desolate and 

 remote fur countries in great numbers, frequenting the rivers 

 and freshwater lakes, on whose borders they pass the period 

 of reproduction, making a rude nest of grass, and protecting 

 the necessary warmth of their eggs by a layer of feathers or 

 down plucked from the breast. 



Although furnished with a remarkably complicated trachea in 

 the male, whence the name of Clangula, we cannot learn that 

 they ever possess any audible voice. When flusned they rise 



