THE WILD FOWL OF THE ST. LAWRENCE RIVER. 363 



except perhaps the eel, than does any other of the finny tribe; and besides its sins in 

 that direction it is doing no end of damage in the destruction of young ducklings. 

 Pickerel are to our wood duck and other home breeders what carp have proved 

 to be elsewhere. 



The law should relegate pickerel to the grade of food fish and turn them over 

 to the netter. By so doing a double benefit would be achieved. There would 

 soon be a notable increase of bass and also of our home breeding ducks, while 

 there would be, in addition, a marked increase in fish food. It seems like folly to 

 protect a fish by law that no true angler would think of keeping should he catch 

 one. 



. ■ Another tree breeder, the American golden eye, or whistler (Clangula ameri- 

 cana), is also common on the St. Lawrence, returning here from the north in 

 autumn. The golden eye is never seen in large flocks; often single or in pairs. 

 It is a rapid diver and as difficult to shoot as a loon. The flesh is not especially 

 desirable. I quote again from Huntington: "The Indians call it a 'spirit duck.' 

 On the Yukon they stuff the skin to make a toy for the children." 



In Xeltje Blanchan's book, "Birds that Hunt and are Hunted," the following 

 story is credited to Allan Brooks: "The Indians of the Frazer River valley tell 

 a story of two men in one of their tribes who had a dispute as to how the whistler 

 made the noise, one claiming that it was produced by the wings, the other, that 

 it was vocal or made through the nostrils. Others joined in the dispute which 

 resulted in the death of the majority of the warriors, leaving the question 

 unsettled." 



Description. '■'Adult male. Head greenish; circular white patch at base of 

 bill. Female. Head and throat brown ; breast and back gray, a white throat ring ; 

 belly and speculum white." 



Barrows' golden eye (Clangula islandicd). This bird is by no means common 

 here, though specimens have been taken and mounted. 



Description. "Adult male. Head purplish blue; white patch at base of bill 

 twice as high as wide. Female. Same as the American golden eye." 



The buffle head (CJiaritonella albeola) is one of our local tree breeders, and 

 has, in common with others of its class, suffered from spring shooting and pickerel. 



Description. "Adult male. Head blue, purple and green; a white band from 

 eye to eye across the nape. Female. A whitish patch on either side of the head; 

 throat and upper parts grayish brown; belly and speculum white." 



The ruddy duck {Erismatura rubida) is one of our most common species. It 

 breeds in the marshes along the bays of the St. Lawrence, among the islands, and 

 also on the shores of our inland lakes. This duck is a veritable gformand, and is 



