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BUFEEL-HEADED DUCK. 



BUFFEL-HEADED GABEOT. BUTTEE BOX, OE BL'TTEE BALL. SPIEIT DUCK. 



CONJUEEE. 



Clangula albeola, ..... Jentss. 



Anas albeola, ...... LnrauEUS. 



Fuligula albeola, ..... Boxapabte. 



Clangula. Clango — To sound as a trumpet. Albeola. Albeo — To appear -white; whitish. 



This, which is a North American species, has only occurred, as far as we are aware, 

 on three occasions within the limits of these islands. The first is mentioned by Donovan, 

 in his "British Birds." The second was procured near Yarmouth, in Norfolk, in 1830. 

 Mr. Tarrell states that the Rev. Richard Lubbock believes that it has been seen on 

 other occasions in Norfolk, but, from its great powers of diving, it usually escapes; 

 also, that the boat-shooters there, who are well acquainted with the Golden Eye in all 

 its stages, and call it Rattle-wings, say, they also know the true Morillon, which they 

 consider to be quite distinct from the Golden Eye. We are much inclined to think this 

 opinion correct, and that two species have been often confounded under the title of 

 Golden Eye. In support of this idea, which we have for many years entertained, we 

 quote the following opinions : — First, Mr. Colquhoun, in his "Moor and the Loch," 

 expresses his belief that the Morillon of Bewick is not the young Golden Eye, and 

 he gives as his reason that the Golden Eye is always a good bird for the table, while 

 the Morillon is hard and of indifferent flavour. Now, if the Morillon was the young 

 bird, it would surely be more tender than the adult. Mr. Charles St. John, for whose 

 opinion we have a great respect, states that the Golden Eye in all its states, makes 

 the peculiar noise with its wings when flying; but that this is not heard in the flight 

 of the Morillon. He also says that the Morillon is always found singly or in pairs, 

 while the Golden Eyes often associate together in small flocks. Should these ideas prove 

 correct, we shall probably find that the Buffel-headed Duck, in the immature state, is 

 not so uncommon on our coasts as has been generally supposed. 



