. Michigan bird life : a list of all the bird species known to occur in the State together with an outline of their classification and an account of the life history of each species, with special reference to its relation to agriculture ... . ephala clangula, Coues, 1872. Figure 23. A large, handsome, black and white duck with a green-black head and arounded spot of pure white on each side betw^een eye and bill. The femalehas brown instead of black head, and other dark parts slaty gray insteadof black; no white cheek spot. Distribution.—North America, breedingfrom Maine and the British Provinc
. Michigan bird life : a list of all the bird species known to occur in the State together with an outline of their classification and an account of the life history of each species, with special reference to its relation to agriculture ... . ephala clangula, Coues, 1872. Figure 23. A large, handsome, black and white duck with a green-black head and arounded spot of pure white on each side betw^een eye and bill. The femalehas brown instead of black head, and other dark parts slaty gray insteadof black; no white cheek spot. Distribution.—North America, breedingfrom Maine and the British Provinces north-ward; in winter south to Cuba and Mexico. The Whistler or Golden-eye is one of thebest known ducks in the state, yet appar-ently is nowhere very abundant. It doesnot spend the summer within our limits,and is late in arriving from the north,few coming before the first of driven south by heavy ice some3f them stay all winter. Even at SaultSte. Marie, where the river remains open on account of the swift current, Mr. W. Fip. 23. Whistler. From BaUeys P. Melville says that they are found all x^nTted^sutL^cHVuUton^MiffliSwinter. Butler states that on southern Lake & Co.)Michigan this is the common winter duck,. WATER BIRDS. 99 staying all winter (Birds of Indiana, 1897, p. 621). Swales (Birds ofS. E. Michigan, 1904), says A common migrant and winter resident, lateOctober and late April. It is the common winter duck in Detroit waters,frequenting the open channels cut by the ferry and car boats. Becomesmore abundant in spring. It seldom occurs in large flocks, the maximum being a dozen or fifteenindividuals. Oftener it is seen singly or in little squads of two to is a shy bird, usually being the first species to take alarm in a mixedflock. The whistling noise made by the wings is characteristic, and ofcourse has given it its name. It dives most expertly and often avoidsthe shot by diving at the flash of the gun, whence the name Spirit Duck. Our only n
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