Tan., 191S THE BARROW GOLDEN-EYE IN THE OKANAGAN VALLEY 5 



May 22 is the earliest date on which 1 have seen the young, and by August 

 1 they are full grown. At this time they are remarkably tame, allowing an ap- 

 proach to within a few yards and then, if alarmed, swimming to the middle of 

 the lake, rather than taking wing. This fearlessness is characteristic until the 

 shooting season opens in September, when they soon become wary. Al this 

 time, the birds rise from the water as one approaches, but almost invariably 

 eircle about the lake several times and then fly towards anyone standing on the 

 shore, thus affording an easy shot. By the last week in October, when the com- 

 mon Golden-eye, Redhead and Scaups are returning from the north, the last of 

 the Barrow Golden-eyes have left. 



The feeding habits of -the two species of Golden-eye are identical. Both 

 species are greatly attracted by the small crawfish lurking under large stones 

 in shallow water. While hunting these shellfish, the ducks work rapidly along 

 the shore, diving every few minutes, to probe under the edges of the large 

 stones. They invariably try to submerge even if the water is not deep enough 

 to cover their backs, and I have never seen them dipping as Redheads and 

 Scaups frequently do. One can follow the Golden-eye's movements as it encir- 

 cles the large stones, by the commotion on the surface and by frequent glimpses 

 of the duck's back. In shallow water, the birds remain below from fifteen to 

 twenty seconds, the crawfish being brought to the surface to be swallowed. By 

 the end of winter the feathers on the forehead are generally worn off, through 

 much rubbing against stones in this manner of foraging. When feeding in deep 

 water, over the beds of Potamogcton they stay in the same place until satisfied. 

 In such places the small snails and Crustacea that attach themselves to the 

 stems of Potamogcton form their chief food, but little vegetable matter being- 

 taken beyond what is eaten with the shells. The small shellfish are swallowed 

 while the birds are below the surface of the water, unlike the procedure fol- 

 lowed with the larger crawfish. Their stay under water is of fairly uniform 

 duration, ranging from fifty to fifty-five seconds. At the beginning of the dive 

 the tail is raised and spread to its full extent. 



As far as I have been able to observe, there is no difference in the flight 

 of the two species of Golden-eye. Both have the same clumsy way of rising, 

 and of flying close to the surface before attaining any speed; once under way 

 they travel swiftly, and one's attention is held by the distinctive, musical whis- 

 tle of their wings. Both the Barrow Golden-eye and the American Golden-eye 

 are less gregarious than others of our ducks with the exception of the mergan- 

 sers. I have never seen the Barrow Golden-eye in large flocks except in the 

 mating season. When feeding, two or three birds together are the rule, and 

 five or six the maximum number noted. It is difficult to distinguish the young 

 of our two species of Golden-eye. The only constant difference is in the shape 

 of the bill. In comparison with americana the bill of islandica is shorter, deep- 

 er at the base and more sharply narrowing towards the tip. The nail is wider 

 at the front, projects farther over tin 1 tip of the bill, and is slightly raised above 

 the bill, forming a noticeable lump. These differences are more apparent in the 

 freshly killed birds than they are in dried study specimens. The black bar- 

 across the speculum, generally described as a diagnostic feature, is of little use 

 in identifying young birds. I have seen young males of islandica with immac- 

 ulate speculums, and several of americana with noticeable bars crossing this 

 tract. 



Olanagan Landing, British Columbia, Canada, December :>, 1917. 



