BUFFEL-HEADED GOLDENEYE. 



CLANGULA ALBEOLA {Linn.). 



Anas albeola, Linn. S. N. i. p. 199 (1766). 

 Clangula albeola, Macg. v. p. 185 ; Yarr. ed. 4, iv. p. 442 ; 

 Dresser, vi. p. 589. 



This American species is of exceedingly rare occur- 

 rence on our side of the Atlantic. I gather from 

 'Yarrell,' 4th ed., that the " Buffel-head " has been 

 obtained in British waters on not more than four or 

 five occasions, and that there is no authentic record of 

 its occurrence on the coasts of continental Europe. I 

 quote from the work to which I have just referred to 

 the effect that the breeding-range of this bird extends 

 throughout the Fur countries and the northern portions 

 of America, from the Atlantic to the Pacific as far 

 south as the State of Maine. The nest is generally 

 placed in a hollow tree (after the fashion of our common 

 European Goldeneye) and profusely lined with down. 

 In autumn and winter this Duck, according to Audubon, 

 is to be seen in almost every part of the Union, fre- 

 quenting the sea-shore, rivers, and lakes. From its 

 usual fatness it is commonly known as " Butter-box," 



