AMERICAN GOLDEN-EYE. 
349 
The Buffle-head ranges over this entire continent, breeding from 
about iatitude 45 ° northward, and wintering from Massachusetts 
and the Great Lakes southward ; it is more abundant in the West 
than near the Atiantic. Thompson reports it a common summer 
resident of Manitoba. 
AMh:RICAN (iOLDEN-PWE. 
WHISTLER. 
GlAUCIONETI'A CLANGUI.A AMERICANA. 
Char. Male : upper parts black, the head with green reflections ; a 
round patch between the biil and eyes ; wings varied with white ; lower 
neck and under parts white ; bill black ; legs and feet orange, with dusky 
webs. Length 19 to 23 inches. Female upper parts brown, back, breast, 
and sides varied with gray; belly dull white; wing-patch white; bill, 
legs, and feet dull orange, webs dusky. Smaller than the male. — length 
about 17 inches. Young birds resemble the female. 
Nest. In a hollow tree or stump, made of leaves and moss, and lined 
with down. _ , ,, , 
6-13 ; bright green when fresh, but fading to a dull ashy green ; 
2.40 X i- 7 °- 
The Golden eye is a common inhabitant of the boreal re- 
gions of both continents, from whence it migrates in small 
flocks at the approach of winter, accompanying the Velvet, 
Surf Duck, and Scoter in their desultory route in quest of sub- 
sistence. On their way, soon after the commencement of their 
adventurous voyage, these birds visit the shores of Hudson 
Bay and congenial lakes in the interior, on which they linger, 
feeding on tender and small shell-fish until debarred by the 
invasion of frost. They breed in all parts of the desolate and 
remote fur countries in great numbers, frequenting the rivers 
and freshwater lakes, on whose borders they pass the period 
of reproduction, making a rude nest of grass, and protecting 
the necessary warmth of their eggs by a layer of feathers or 
down plucked from the breast. 
Although furnished with a remarkably complicated trachea in 
the male, whence the name of Clangula, we cannot learn that 
they ever possess any audible voice. When flushed they rise 
