THE GOLDEN-EYE GR GARROT. 287 
insects, for which they dive in the clear water............ They 
also feed on small fresh-water mollusca; but I have not observ- 
ed any vegetable substances in their cesophagus or stomach... 
ORO CO ANE In one instance I have seen remains of small fishes in 
the gizzard. 
“But, although essentially lake ducks, they often, especially 
in frosty weather, resort to estuaries, as well as the open coasts, 
where they procure testaceous mollusca, crustacea, and fishes. 
Their flesh is very dark coloured, and, although savoury, not 
at all pleasant, unless its natural fishy flavour be concealed by 
arts known to the cook and the epicure............ : 
“When undisturbed they float lightly ; but, if alarmed, have 
the faculty of sinking deeper. They swim with great speed, 
dive instantaneously, and are active and lively in all their move- 
ments, unless, as some say, when on land, where, however, I 
have never seen them walking. They fly with rapidity, in a 
direct manner, their small, stiff, sharp-pointed wings, producing 
a whistling sound, which in calm weather may be heard at a 
considerable distance. At night they repose chiefly on the 
water, but sometimes on points of land. If shot at while 
feeding, they dive, and appear after a considerable interval, 
at a great distance ; but owing to their vigilance and activity, 
it is difficult to get near them, although, when without a gun, 
I have several times been allowed to approach within shooting 
distance, and on such occasions they merely swim slowly 
away. In rising from the water, they strike it with their feet 
and wings, to the distance of several yards, but, on occasion, 
heard to any considerable distance; the epithet clangula given 
to it by the earlier ornithologists had reference not to its voice, 
but to the whistling of its wings.” 
Yarrell remarks :—“ They are active in the water, swimming 
and diving with great rapidity, when in pursuit of their food, 
which consists principally of small fishes; if five or six of these 
ducks are together, they do not all dive at the same time, but 
some of them remain on the surface, as sentinels, where they 
keep a good look-out to prevent being approached and surprised 
by an enemy.” | 
Although it may be found anywhere, even in the heart of a 
vast Continent, as in Yarkand, in small numbers or on passage, 
I think we may conclude that it prefers coasts, estuaries and 
lakes within a moderate distance of seas ; and that, except 
perhaps in places like the mouths of the Indus, we are not likely 
to see many of them at any time in India. 
OF THE nidification of this species, Dresser says :— 
“So far as my own experience goes, the Golden-eye always 
