22 
BIRDS OF DURHAM AND VICINITY. 
Aythya collaris. Rixg-neckkd Duck. 
ISO. 
I have found but one specimen of this duck, a tine adult male taken 
in the fall, on Little Bay — Piscataqua — and now owned by Mr. George 
F. VVentworth of Dover. It is apparently one of our rarest ducks. 
Whistlers, as this species is trivially termed, are common in winter 
wherever there is open water. They ordinarily appear in winter, and 
remain in Great Bay and Piscataqua till March, when they depart for 
their northern homes. Many of them do not go very far north, however, 
as they are known to breed about some of the Maine lakes. They 
are rather shy ducks, and usually keep well away from shore in places 
where the water is sufficiently shoal for them to go to the bottom for 
their food, which consists chiefly of mollusks, crustaceans, and 
aquatic insects, though I have found traces of vegetable matter in 
their stomachs. They usually go in flocks of a dozen or less. They 
feed a good part of the day, going down and coming up continually, 
one or two at a time, so there is generally one or more at the surface 
to keep an eye out for danger. Their narrow-pointed wings make, as 
they fly, a wlnstling sound, which may be heard at a considerable 
distance, and which has gained for them their vernacular name, 
Whistler. 
Clanguia islandica. Barrow's Golden-eye. 152. 
This species is of irregular appearance. Mr. George Wentworth 
of Dover, has the only specimen that I have found, a fine male 
which was shot some years since on Little Bay. The most noticeable 
difference between this species and the last is in the shape of the 
white spot on the side of the head ; on tlie Whistler it is circular, 
while on this bird it is a crescent. 
Charitonetta albeola. Buffle-head. 153. 
This species is a frequent visitor both on Great Bay and on the 
coast from October till April. They are small, being but a little 
larger than a dove. Their habits and coloration remind one of 
Whistlers. They are very agile, diving so quickly when shot at as to 
merit their trivial name, Dipper, by which they are best known. 
Clang-ula americana. 
American Golden-eye. 
151. 
