672 
A YEAR WITH THE BIRDS 
gray, brown, and white, above glossy brown. Wings like the 
male, but the contrasts much reduced. 
Note: “ Peet-peet, oe eek! oe eek!” 
Season: A summer resident. 
Subfamily Fuligulinae: Sea Ducks 
American Golden-eye: Glaucionetta clangula americana 
Whistler 
Length: 17-20 inches. 
Male: Head with puffy feathers, and neck glossy green. Above black- 
ish ; below generally whitish. Much white on the wings. Iris 
golden yellozu, a round, white spot before the eye. Feet orange- 
colored; bill black, tipped with yellow. 
Female: Head snuff-brown, upper parts brownish, lower parts marked 
with grayish; less white on wings. 
Season: Common winter resident. 
Breeds: From Maine northward. 
Range: North America; in winter south to Cuba. 
The American Golden-eye and the three following species 
are Sea Ducks, whose rank and fishy-smelling flesh excludes 
them from the list of Game Ducks. They are seen about the 
creeks and beaches at a time when there is little bird life 
present, and are interesting on this account. The Whistler 
is a title the Golden-eye receives from the loud noise made 
by its wings during flight, which is accomplished with wonder- 
ful velocity. 
Bufflehead : Charitonetta albeola 
Length: 12.75-15 inches. . 
-Male: Above black; neck, shoulders, and all below white. Head 
puffy, purplish green, with a large white patch on the nape 
extending to front of eyes. Wings largely white; tail black. 
Bill short, about 1 inch. 
Female: Above blackish with white streak on each side of head, below 
whitish. 
Season: Winter resident; November to April. 
Breeds: From Maine northward through the Fur Countries to Alaska. 
Range: North America; south in winter to Cuba and Mexico. 
A handsomely plumed Duck with a puffy head ; to be found 
by inland ponds and rivers that remain unfrozen. 
