236 
THE HARLEQUIN. 
British species of this genus is called, has obtained that 
title from its parti-coloured plumage. A very beautifiil 
bird this, having the upper parts of the body dusky greyish 
blue ; there is a triangular white patch before each 
eye ; a round spot of the same behind each ear ; a band 
along the side of the head, almost reaching to another, run- 
ning down the back of the neck, across the lower part of 
which there is a narrow collar, and a broader semicircular 
SAveep lower down ; these, with the white patches on the 
wrings, being mostly shaded or bordered w^ith light red, or 
black, over the greyish blue and green ground on which 
they appear to be painted, form as pretty a harlequin as well 
can be conceived, and render this indeed * a very duck 
of a bird ; ' it does not often give us a chance to see and 
admire it in Britain, where but a few specimens have been 
taken. The length of this species is about seventeen inches ; 
it is said to be of common occurrence on the eastern coasts 
of North America, and to breed in suitable places from the 
Bay of Fundy to the highest latitudes visited. It is 
beautifully figured in Morris's * Game Birds and Water 
Fowl.' 
The Golden-eyed Duck is a species which visits this 
country in small flocks every winter, and is well known on 
most parts of our coast ; it resorts to and feeds in the 
estuaries, or on rivers which fall into the sea ; it is some- 
times obtained in inland waters with other wild fowl. The 
male is about nineteen inches long ; it is a handsome bird, 
having the head and upper part of the neck a deep glossy 
green with purple reflections ; there is a large wdiite patch 
of an oval form on each side between the cheek and bill ; 
the lower neck, with the breast, sides and abdomen, are 
white, the elongated feathers of the latter edged with black, 
which is the colour of the upper parts of the body ; the 
wings having broad white spaces across them. There is a 
difference of opinion among naturalists respecting this bird, 
some asserting that three distinct species are confounded 
imder the common name of Golden-eye ; but it seems 
likely that these are merely varieties dependent on age and 
nature. 
It does not appear that any of the Golden-eyes have been 
