21 
they were throwing back their heads in the usual display, probably females 
of their kind were present too. This was the only time that both species 
were seen in the same flock. On March 21, at Uyak bay, Kodiak island, 
three golden-eyes were seen; at Unalaska, March 26, one, and next day 
eight, but these were immatures or females and identity of species was 
doubtful. A single golden-eye, impossible of identification, was also seen 
at Adak island. However, at Attu island, the species appeared again with 
certainty when two adult males were found ardently courting in a flock 
of six. 
Glaucionetta islandica (Gmelin). Barrow’s Golden-eye 
Probably nowhere in America can the two species, that seem to have 
been so confused in the past, be better seen and compared to advantage 
than along the inside coastal waters of British Columbia and Alaska in 
spring. In breeding plumage the males can be distinguished almost as far 
as they can be picked up by the glasses. Even at distances where the 
white facial marks cannot be seen, there are other unfailing field marks. 
At a little distance the Barrow’s appears to be a black-backed duck with 
a black bar running from the back across the white of the side almost to 
the water in front of the wing. The American shows much white in the back, 
has no black mark before the wing, and is a whiter, more flashy bird. To 
distinguish the female from americana at a little distance, is, of course, 
impossible. 
Figure 1. Golden-eyes: American and Barrow’s. Best field marks are the white and 
black markings of the side. Barrow’s Golden-eye shows black of back curving down to 
water; and chain of white spots on wing where American Golden-eye shows much white. 
The Barrow’s was the only golden-eye seen during the first week. It 
was usually seen in flocks of ten or a dozen — eleven at Trout harbour, 
March 3; fifteen and six in harbour at Prince Rupert, March 5; a dozen at 
Wrangell, Alaska, March 7; ten at Taku cannery, Alaska, March 9; twelve 
at Juneau, March 9; and ten at Swanson harbour, March 11. The 
species was not seen later unless it was in some of the indefinites mentioned 
under the foregoing species. 
In regard to the flock of about fifteen golden-eyes which may or may 
not have been all Barrow’s, mixed with a flock of Surf Scoters close to the 
wharf at Prince Rupert, March 5, “only two were in plumages that could 
be identified through the glasses. An adult male and a young male in 
changing coat were plain enough. The young Barrow’s does not don the 
same speckled coat worn by the young American of the same age. This 
is because the former has so little white in his back.” 
$ Prince Rupert, B.C. March 5. Juvenile. 
6 Wrangell, Alaska. March 7, Adult. 
<;> “ “7 
