ORNAMENTAL WATERFOWL. 219 
mens on the ornamental water in St. James’s Park, and the 
Zoological Gardens. It is a winter visitant to Great Britain, 
but never appears in large numbers, being generally seen in 
companies of three to five. 
Sir Ralph Gallwey remarks of this bird that the wings 
are so large and stiff in proportion to the size of its body, that 
the sound they make in beating the air resembles a distant 
whistle, a peculiarity which has given it the name in Ireland of 
“Whistle-wing,” and in the East and South of England, 
“ Rattle-wing.” A smaller species of Golden-eye (about fifteen 
inches long) is common in North America, where it breeds in 
the highest latitudes. It is an expert diver, and, like the British 
species, disappears under water at the approach of danger. 
These birds frequent both fresh and salt water, preferring the 
former during the breeding season. The price 1s from £2 to 
43 the pair. 
Male.—Head and upper neck green, with a large white 
spot below the eye, which is of a bright golden yellow ; upper 
body black ; under parts white ; bill lead colour ; legs orange, 
with black webs. 
Female.— Head and upper body brownish-slate; yellowish 
line round the top of bill; other points similar to male, but 
colours less defined. 
Young.—Similar to female, but less white in first feathers, 
attaining full plumage after the third moult. 
Egg.—“ Bright greyish-green ; smooth and glossy” (See- 
bohm); “greenish” (Morris); eight to thirteen in number. 
End of May—June. 
Nest Down.—“ Pale delicate lavender-grey, with obscure 
paler centres” (Seebohm). 
