barrow’s golden-eye. 
351 
and stretches its feet out behind. Born only for the water, the 
Golden-eye, except in the season of propagation, seldom quits 
it but to dry itself awhile in the air, and immediately after 
returns to its natural element. 
The Whistlers are common throughout the country, breeding 
from Maine and Manitoba to the lower fur countries, and winter- 
ing from the Bay of Fundy to Cuba. 
BARROW’S GOLDEN-EYE. 
ROCKY MOUNTAIN GOLDEN-EYE. WHISTLER. 
Glaucioneita islandica. 
Char. Similar to the Common Golden-eye, but the white patch on 
the cheek oblong or pear-shaped, instead of round. 
Nest. In a hollow tree, made of twigs and moss lined with down. 
Eggs. 6-to ; bright green when fresh, but fading to a dull grayish tint ; 
2.45 X I- 75 ' 
Barrow’s Golden-eye Duck is .so much like the more common 
Whistler that few but experts can separate them, the shape of the 
white patch on the cheeks of the male being the only distinguishing 
characteristic. 
In habits the two species do not differ, but the present one is 
found farther north, breeding from southern Labrador to northern 
Greenland, and wintering to the Bay of Fundy ; it is rarely seen so 
far south as Massachusetts. 
I am inclined to question the statement made in “ The Water 
Birds of North America,” that these birds “ undoubtedly breed” 
along the St. Croix River. An occasional unfertile or unhealthy 
example may linger in the Bay of Fundy and adjacent waters during 
the summer months, but no evidence has been obtained of an evi- 
dently mated pair having been seen there. Neither Wilson nor 
Audubon knew this bird, and Nuttall writes : “ It has hitherto been 
found only in the valleys of the Rocky Mountains ” 
