is, I believe, but one person wbo has actually witnessed the manner — the clergyman at Quickiock, in Lulean 
Lapmark, near the source of that chain of vast lakes whence the Lulea river flows, who was once a witness, 
and who, while botanizing by the side of the lake near Quickiock, where the bird breeds in great numbers, 
saw a Golden-eye drop into the water, and at the same instant a young one appear; after watching 
some time, and seeing the bird fly backwards and forwards from the nest five times, he w'as enabled to perceive 
that the young bird was held under the bill, and supported by the neck of the parent.” 
The advantage taken by the natives of Lapland and Finmark of the bird’s habit of laying its eggs in the 
holes of trees and similar situations is mentioned by nearly every writer on the natural history of those 
countries. Linnaeus, when near Lycksele, had his attention drawn to the cylinders of wood, closed at top 
and bottom, and with an aperture on one side, which were placed on the highest part of the loftiest fir trees, 
in order to tempt the wild ducks to lay their eggs in them. Mr. Wheelwright mentions that he always 
took the eggs from the holkar, or tubs set np in trees, or from the hollows of trees themselves, and never from 
the ground ; and Pastor Sommerfeldt informs us, in his ‘List of Birds observed in East Finmark,’ translated 
by Mr. H. E. Dresser, that, in order to obtain possession in the easiest manner of the eggs of this bird, the 
Lapps put up, along the Tana river and in the woods, hollow trees about two ells high, with a hole in the side. 
When the bird has discontinued laying, they empty the nest. Occasionally the cavity chosen is so small 
that it would seem impossible for a Duck to enter it. Mr. Hewitson mentions one, observed by him in 
Norway, that was about twelve feet from the ground and about a foot in diameter inside, with an entrance so 
narrow as hardly to admit the hand. 
The Golden-eyes, “ like most of our Ducks,” says Macgillivray, “ betake themselves to the Arctic regions, 
wdience they return in autumn, making their appearance in the beginning of October, and continuing to 
increase in number until the winter has fairly set in, when they are met with in all parts of the country, from 
Shetland and Orkney on the one side, and Lewis Island on the other, to the southern extremity of England. 
In Ireland, also, they are regular winter visitants. It is chiefly to lakes, pools, and rivers that they resort. 
But, although essentially lake-ducks, they often, especially in frosty weather, resort to estuaries, as well as 
the open coasts, where they procure testaceous mollusca, Crustacea, and fishes.” 
“ Owing to the pied appearance of the males, the Golden-eyes make a fine show on the water, and espe- 
cially on those dull dark pools of the North Highlands and Hebrides of which the surrounding scenery is 
dismal enough at all seasons, but especially in winter. When undisturbed, they float lightly, but if alarmed 
have the faculty of sinking deeper, swim with great speed, dive instantaneously, and are active and lively in 
all their movements,” except on land, where, Mr. Selby states, it “ proceeds in a shuffling ungainly manner, 
from the backward position of its legs and the great size of its feet.” “They fly with rapidity, and in a 
direct manner ; their small, stiff, sharp-pointed wings producing a whistling sound, which, in calm weather, 
may be heard at a considerable distance. If shot at while feeding, they dive, and appear, after a considerable 
interval, at a great distance ; but, owing to their vigilance and activity, it is difficult to get near them, although, 
when without a gun, I have several times been allowed to approach within shooting-distance, and on such 
occasions they merely swim slowly away. In rising from the water, they strike it with their feet and wings 
to the distance of several yards ; but on occasions they can rise at a single effort, especially when there is a 
breeze. 
“The females and young are greatly more numerous, in proportion to the males, in the southern parts of 
the country ; and in the northern, flocks are sometimes seen composed entirely of males. It is said that, 
in their southward migration, the males advance first, the young remaining a considerable time behind 
the females ; and in proceeding northward, the males again take the lead, being several days in advance.” 
Mr. M^heelwright states that “ the egg of the Golden-eye varies very much in colour and size ; and it is 
remarked by the old settlers, who watch the habits of the bird closely (for its eggs afford them a good supply 
of food), that the old birds always lay the fewest, finest, and largest eggs.” How many eggs are deposited at 
a laying does not appear to have been correctly ascertained : fi*om five to ten would seem to be the normal 
number ; they are of a beautiful pale j)ea-green, and are two inches and three-eiglitbs in length by one inch 
and five-eightbs in breadth. 
Few Ducks present so great a contrast in the size and colouring of the sexes as the male and female of 
the present species ; irrespective of the difference in their plumage, the latter may always be distinguished 
from the former by the eye being pale straw-yellow instead of a rich golden. In all probability the old males, 
after the breeding-season, change their brilliant plumage of winter to one closely assimilating to that of the 
female, and again assume it late in the autumn. The young males closely resemble the females. 
The Plate represents a male and a female of the size of life, with reduced figures of two males in the re- 
markable attitude above described. 
