152 
THE GOLDEN-EYE GARROT. 
and being very generally distributed over the coun- 
try. The old males are rather shy, but the small 
parties, consisting of females and immature birds, 
allow a pretty near approach, and will rather avoid 
the danger by dropping down with the stream than 
take wing. In the rivers they feed on the shallow 
parts at the foot of pools, seeking their food by 
diving, and performing that act simultaneously, so 
much so that we have frequently approached them 
by taking the advantage of the party being under 
water, running forward, and again getting into con- 
cealment about the time when they should appear, 
until the last run carried us to the water’s edge. 
They would on rising then take flight, never at- 
tempting to escape by again diving, as a grebe 
or driver would do. The flight is rapid, performed 
along the line of the river unless when passing to 
some distance, when they rise to a considerable 
height. 
Over Europe, the Golden seems to be pretty 
equally distributed in winter in suitable localities, 
but all retire northward, and breed in Scandinavia, 
Norway, Sweden and Lapland. In these coun- 
tries in summer it is frequent, breeding in hollow 
trees naturally, but also taking possession of boxes 
or artificial holes made by the country-people for 
the sake of the eggs, and showing little wariness 
in availing itself of the shelter thus provided. 
Out of Europe, we have the authority of Tem- 
minck for Japan specimens being identical, while 
in the northern parts of the New World, the bird 
