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GOLDEN-EYE DUCK. 



^Fuligula clangula, Linn. 

 PLATE CCCCVI.— Male and Female. 



You have now before you another of our Ducks, which at least equals any 

 of the rest in the extent of its migrations. Braving the blasts of the north, 

 it visits the highest latitudes in spring, and returns at the approach of winter, 

 spreading over the whole country, as if it seemed not to care in what region 

 it spends its time, provided it find abundance of water. Now propelling 

 itself gaily, it may be seen searching the pebbly or rocky bottom of the 

 Ohio, or diving deep in the broad bays of Massachusetts or the Chesapeake. 

 Presently it emerges with a cray-fish or a mussel held firmly in its bill. It 

 shakes its head, and over its flattened back roll the large pearly drops of 

 water, unable to penetrate the surface of its compact and oily plumage. The 

 food is swallowed, and the bird, having already glanced around, suddenly 

 plunges headlong. Happy being! Equally fitted for travelling through the 

 air and the water, and not altogether denied the pleasure of walking on the 

 shore; endowed with a cunning, too, which preserves you from many at 

 least of the attempts of man to destroy you; and instinctively sagacious 

 enough to place your eggs deep in the hollow of a tree, where they are 

 secure from the noctural prowler, and, amid the down of your snowy breast, 

 are fostered until the expected young come forth. Then with your own bill 

 you carry your brood to the lake, where, under your tender care they grow 

 apace. The winged marauders, rapid as their flight may be, cannot injure 

 you there; for while your young ones sink into the deep waters, you arise 

 on whistling wings, and, swifter than Jer Falcon, speed away. 



In South Carolina the Golden-eye is abundant during winter, when it at 

 times frequents the reserves of the rice-planters. I have also met with it on 

 the water-courses of the Floridas at that season. From these countries west- 

 ward and northward, it may be found in all parts of the Union where the 

 waters are not frozen. It is seldom seen on small ponds entirely surrounded 

 by trees, but prefers open places, and on the Ohio is generally found in the 

 more rapid parts, on the eddies of which it dives for food. 



This species exhibits a degree of cunning which surpasses that of many 

 other Ducks, and yet at times it appears quite careless. When I have been 



