94 
“This is one of the first Ducks to come north in spring and one of the 
last to leave in autumn. Though sparsely common everywhere, it is not 
regarded as good game in the west. On the prairies it is seldom eaten, and on 
the coast its flesh is often unfit for food in the autumn on account of the 
eating of dead salmon. Although it is prolific, large flocks of the species 
are seldom seen.” 
152. Barrow’s Golden-eye. Glaucionetta islandica. L, 20. Plate X B. Closely 
similar in all plumages to American Golden-eye. 
Distinctions. For distinctions from other Ducks except the American Golden-eye, 
see that species, page 93. The adult male differs from the American in having purplish 
instead of greenish reflections to head; crescent-shaped instead of 
round white face spot: flank feather group edged on upper border 
with broad band of black, and considerably less white in wing and 
back pattern. Juvenile males and females can best be separated by 
the shape of the bill. In this species the bill (Figure 129, compare 
with Figure 128) is smaller, and shorter for its height, giving it a 
more stubby appearance. It is also of less even width with more 
taper towards the tip. These characteristics may not be as well 
marked in all specimens as shown in the figures, but are generally 
recognizable. In young males a less apparent difference can be 
found. The forehead of Barrow’s Golden-eye rises abruptly from 
the base of the bill, where a lump can be felt under the plumage by 
firmly stroking the forehead with the finger. Anatomically the 
males of the two species can be separated even in young birds early 
in the autumn by the enlargement of the windpipe. In tne American 
Golden-eye, there is an extraordinary bulbous enlargement of the . Figure 129 
windpipe between the arms of the merrythought. In Barrow’s, Bill outline of Barrow’s 
the whole pipe is gradually enlarged along the neck, but without any Oroldea-eye; 
suggestions of a bulb. sc e ’ *’ 
Field Marks. For recognition marks as Golden-eyes, see previous species. From 
the American Golden-eye, it may be known by the crescent-shaped instead of oval face 
spot, as far as that can be seen, and at greater distance on the water, by the relative amount 
of black and white displayed. This species, having the flank feathers that normally cover 
the edge of the wing widely bordered with black, and more black in back and wing pattern, 
appears as mostly black on the body instead erf mostly white as does the American Golden- 
eye. Juveniles or females can probably not be told apart in life with any certainty, though 
the less amount of white of the lesser wing coverts may be suggestive at times. 
Nesting, In stumps or hollow trees when available, otherwise in rock cavities or on 
the ground. 
Distribution. Northern North America. A bird of the extreme east and west, 
common on the gulf of St. Lawrence and through the mountains and on the coast of British 
Columbia, but absent in the country between. 
In the west this Duck is a frequenter of the little mountain lakes near 
which it nests, and to which the young broods are brought as soon as they 
are out of the shell. Every little pool in the hills and mountain valleys 
in spring shows Barrow’s Golden-eye bobbing and gesticulating in their 
courting ritual. Later the brown-headed female, with her brood of little 
black and white ducklings, occupies the scene, while the moulting males 
disport themselves elsewhere enjoying gay bachelor life. Where they 
disappear to at this season is not clearly known, but probably a search of 
the sea off the outer coasts, in summer time, would discover the missing 
birds. 
153. Buffle-head. butterball. spirit duck. Charitonetta albeola. L, 14*75. A 
very small Duck, almost as diminutive as the Teal, but coloured in striking black and 
white. Male: white below and around base of neck; back black; head iridescent black, 
broken by large, triangular patches of pure white with apex below the eye, the base meet- 
ing its fellow across nape. The feathers of sides of head lengthened, making puffs on sides 
