GOLDEN-EYE. 575 
specimens which I have seen, it is altogether wanting, The back is 
in some instances destitute of the fine powdered particles of white, 
while in others these markings are large, and thickly interspersed. 
The specimen from which Fig. 272 was taken, was shot on the 
Delaware, on the 10th of March, and presented to me by Dr. 8. B. 
Smith of this city. On dissection it proved to be a male, and was ex- 
ceeding fat and tender. Almost every specimen I have since met 
with has been in nearly the same state; so that I cannot avoid think- 
ing this species equal to most others for the table, and greatly superior 
to many. : : 
Sg 
GOLDEN-EYE.—ANAS CLANGULA. —Frie. 273.— Mate. 
Le Garrot, Briss. vi. p. 416, pl. 37. fig. 2.— Buff. ix. p. 222.— Arct. Zool. No. 
466. Lath Byatt, p66. 
CLANGULA VULGARIS, — Fiemina.* 
Clangula vulgaris, Flem. Br. Anim. p. 120.— North. Zool. ii. p. 454. —Fuligula 
clangula, Bonap. Synop. p. 393.— Sub-gen. Clangula. 
Tus Duck is well known in Europe, and in various regions of the 
United States, both along the sea-coast and about the lakes and rivers 
of the interior. It associates in small parties, and may easily be 
known by the vigorous whistling of its wings as it passes through the 
* The Golden-Eye is found on both continents, and in the northern parts of Eu- 
rope during winter, is one of the most common migratory Ducks. The Garrots are 
distinguished by a short, stout, and compact body ; the neck, short; the head, large 
and apparéntly more so from its thick plumage ; the bill, short, but thick, and raise 
at the base ; the feet, placed far behind, and formed for swimming. The flight is 
' short and rapid. In habit, they delight more in lakes and rivers than the sea; are 
generally found in small flocks ; are very clamorous during the breeding seasor, 
and feed on fish, aquatic insects, molluscze, &c. Richardson says, Clangula vul- 
garis and albeola frequent the rivers and fresh-water lakes throughout the Fur Coun- 
tries, in great numbers. They are by no means shy, allowing the sportsman to * 
approach sufficiently near; but dive so dexterously at the flash of the gun, or the 
twanging of a bow, and are consequently so difficult to kill, that the natives say 
they aré endowed with some supernatural power. Hence their ‘appellation of 
“conjuring,” or “ spirit Ducks.” 
In Britain, they are winter visitants, assembling in small parties on the lakes and 
rivers. On the latter they may be generally found near the head or foot of the 
stream, diving incessantly for the spawn of salmon, with which I have often found 
their stomach filled. ‘The party generally consists of from four to ten, and’ they dive 
together. At this time, it 1s not very difficult to approach them, by running for- 
ward while they are under water, and squatting when they rise. I have often, in 
this way, come to the very edge of the river, and awaited the arising of the flock. 
When takeu by surprise, they dive on the instant of the first shot, but rise and fly 
immediately after. 
The young of the first year has been made a nominal species, and is somewhat 
like the adult females, but always distinguished by larger size, darker color of the 
plumage of the head, and the greater proportion of white on the wings. The males 
have the white spot on the cheek perceptible about the first s ring, and the other 
parts of the plamage proportionally distinct. Among most of the floeks which visit 
our rivers in winter, it is rare to find more than one full-plumaged male in each; 
. 
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