226 REPTILES AND BIRDS. 



them the Celestials have recourse to artificial heat. They also pos- 

 sess some superb varieties, which have been recently imported into 

 Europe, and are at the present time the glory of our ornamental 

 waters. Magnificent pairs of Chinese Ducks, of which the Mandarin 

 is the most beautiful, may be admired in the Jardin d'Acclimatation 

 at Paris, at the Zoological Gardens of the Regent's Park, and also 

 in the artificial waters in the parks and gardens of our principal 

 cities. 



The common Wild Duck or Mallard, which we have described, is 

 the type of the order of Ducks ; but there are about seventy other 

 species. The most remarkable are the Golden Eye, Widgeon, 

 Pochard, Shoveller, Shieldrake, the Eider Duck, the Teal, the Black 

 Diver, and the Merganser. 



The Golden Eye {Anas danguld). 



The Golden Eye is sometimes called the Garrot. In some pro- 

 vinces it has received the nickname of the Harlequin Duck,* because 

 its plumage, at a little distance off, looks as if it were composed of 

 black and white feathers only. This variegated appearance, which 

 occurs only in the males, makes a fine show on the dark pools and 

 lakes of the north Highlands and Hebrides, where the scenery in 

 winter is excessively dismal. When undisturbed, they float lightly on 

 the surface ; but if alarmed, they are said to sink themselves deeper 

 in the water, diving rapidly, and swimming with great velocity. 

 They fly also swiftly, in a direct manner, their small, stiff, and sharp- 

 pointed wings producing a whistling sound, which is heard in calm 

 weather at a considerable distance.t They rise easily from the 

 water, striking it with their feet and wings for several yards ; but 

 under alarm, or when there is a breeze rippling the surface, they can 

 ascend at once. During winter they are met with in all northern 

 Europe, and in severe weather in the south of England. In Ire- 

 land, also, they are constant winter visitors ; but they do not seem 

 to breed with us, betaking themselves to the Arctic regions in spring, 

 and returning in October. They are essentially lake ducks ; but they 

 are also found on the open coasts and estuaries. Their flesh is dark- 

 coloured and unsavoury, requiring all the art of the cook to conceal 

 its natural fishy flavour. 



* The Harlequin Duck [Clangula histriotiica) is a different species from the 

 G olden Eye. — Ed. 



t From the noise made by their wings they are in some localities called 

 Whistlers. 



