﻿168 ANATIJD.E. 



resort to lakes, ponds, and inland rivers, not only during the 

 time of migration, but also during the breeding-season. We 

 have met with the present species on the river Thames in the 

 month of March after a heavy fall of snow, and as their flesh 

 was very excellent, the birds must have frequented, for some 

 time at least, fresh-water localities. Spots where the water is 

 open and deep, suit its habits best, whether the bottom 

 consists of sand, gravel, or mud ; therefore this species must 

 be looked for in such localities, and not along the shore 

 among the flags and rushes ; and it is rarely met with on 

 shore. At sea the Golden Eye is principally seen swimming 

 at a distance from the shore over a depth of two or three 

 fathoms, in preference to ranging about extensive muddy 

 flats. 



The male of the Golden Eye is very easily distinguished 

 from most other ducks by its strongly defined colours of 

 black and white, but the female and young are not easily 

 identified when seen in a wild state, when on the water, 

 under which circumstance the white on the lower part of the 

 neck is very frequently hidden, and therefore they greatly 

 resemble the female and young of the red-headed pochard. 

 The movements of this species on the water are very expert, 

 and in diving it is perfect ; the bird swims very low, and 

 often floats about like a piece of cork or wood ; when it 

 dives, it has been observed to raise itself again quickly by 

 touching the bottom with its tail, and this it does so fre- 

 quently that in many instances it will be found that the tips 

 of its tail-feathers are much worn. Its flight is tolerably 

 strong, the motions of its wings very quick and apparently 

 fatiguing ; on taking wing from the water, this bird requires, 

 as it were, a start to rise. 



The manner in which the Golden Eye evades danger is by 

 swimming and diving, being able to proceed with swiftness a 



