GOLDENEYE. A duck of the genus Glau cionetta, having the bill shorter than the head and the nostrils well forward; a garrot. The typi cal species (Glaucionetta dangula) is a common winter visitant, appearing in small flocks, most frequently in severe weather, not only in estua ries, but on the lakes and rivers of inland parts of North America, as it does on those of all the central and southern parts of Europe, and equally on those of the temperate parts of Asia. The wings are pointed and rather short, with the first quill the longest, and the tail of sixteen feathers is rounded and of medium length. In the male the coloration is pied black and white, while it is brown and white in the female. The goldeneye takes its name from the golden-yellow hue of the iris, and the male may be recognized by the metallic green of the head and upper neck, the white patch at the base of the beak below the eye, and by the scapular region being striped with white. The length of the European bird is about 18 inches; the American form (a variety, .4 merieana) is somewhat larger. A second North American species is Barrow's, or the Rocky Mountain. goldeneye (Glaucionetta
Islandica). which is larger, and has the white !oral spot more extended ; it is more northerly and less numerous than the other. Though classed among the sea-ducks, and like them sub sisting largely on animal food, these ducks are scattered inland all over the continent, and are well known to gunners by sound as well as by sight, for their wings make a loud and character istic whistling in flight; hence a common local name is 'whistler' or 'whistlewing.' They go in small parties, mix with other ducks, especially bluebills, and are extremely watchful, often alarming their companions and leading the whole flock swiftly away before any other kind has sus pected danger. They breed from Quebec and Dakota northward, and throughout northern re gions generally as far as trees go, making their nests of straw, feathers, etc., in cavities of dead trees and tall stumps, and laying eight to ten ashy-green eggs. Consult: Dresser, Birds of Europe (London, 1881) ; Job, Among the Water fowl (New York, 1902).