100 
ANSERIFORMES 
152. Barrow’s Golden-eye. le carrot de barrow. Glaucionetta islandica. L, 20. 
Plate X B. Closely similar in all plumages to American Golden-eye. 
Distinctions. For distinctions from other ducks except the Common Golden-eve, 
see that species. The adult male differs from the Common 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 149, compare with 
Figure 145) is smaller, and shorter for its height, giving it a more 
stubby appearance. It is also of less even width, tapering more 
towards the tip. These characteristics may not be as well marked 
in all specimens as shown in the figures, but are generally recogniz- 
able. In young males a less apparent difference can be found. 
The forehead of Barrow’s Golden-e) r e 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 the Common 
Golden-eye, there is an extraordinary bulbous enlargement of the 
Bill outline of Barrow’s windpipe between the arms of the merrythought. In Barrow’s 
Golden-eye; the w p 0 [ e pipe is gradually enlarged along the neck, but without any 
Bca e ’ 2 ‘ suggestions of a bulb (See Figures 147 and 148). 
Field Marks. For recognition marks as Golden-eyes, See previous species. From 
the Common Golden-eve, 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 of mostly white as does the Common 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 betw'een. 
In the far west this cluck 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 its 
courting ritual. Later the brown-headed female, with the 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, le petit garrot. Charitonetla 
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 meeting its fellow across nape. 
The feathers of sides of head lengthened, making puffs 
on sides of face, hence the name. The female is 
white below, blackish or greyish brown above and on 
head, with softly margined white cheek spot extending 
back towards nape. The juvenile is like the female, 
but the throat is a little lighter and the cheek mark 
partly obscured. 
Distinctions. The very small size and white 
speculum. Juveniles and females are rather like com- 
Figure 150 
Buffle-head; scale, j. 
Male P’emale 
Figure 149 
