BUFFEL-HEADED GOLDENEYE.
CLANGULA ALBEOLA {Linn.).
Anas albeola, Linn. S. N. i. p. 199 (1766).
Clangula albeola, Macg. v. p. 185; Yarr. ed. 4, iv. p. 442;
Dresser, vi. p. 589.
This American species is of exceedingly rare occurrence
on our side of the Atlantic. I gather from
‘ Yarr ell,’ 4th ed., that the “ Buffel-head ” has been
obtained in British waters on not more than four or
five occasions, and that there is no authentic record of
its occurrence on the coasts of continental Europe. I
quote from the work to which I have just referred to
the effect that the breeding-range of this bird extends
throughout the Fur countries and the northern portions
of America, from the Atlantic to the Pacific as far
south as' the State of Maine. The nest is generally
placed in a hollow tree (after the fashion of our common
European Goldeneye) and profusely lined with down.
In autumn and winter this Duck, according to Audubon,
is to be seen in almost every part of the Union, frequenting
the sea-shore, rivers, and lakes. From its
usual fatness it is commonly known as “ Butter-box,”