Barrow Golden-Eye at Benicia, California
Barrow Golden-eye at Benicia, California.-On January 18, 1947, a Barrow Golden-eye (Glaucionetta islandica) was observed at close range, swimming in Carquinez Straits just off the end of First Street Wharf, Benicia, Solano County, California. It was a beautiful adult male; the black back with row of white spots along each side, the white crescent before each eye, and the purple irridescence of the head feathers were excellently displayed in the bright sunlight. While we watched, he swa.m off toward a flock of ducks, mostly Canvas-backs and scaups, some two hundred yards offshore.
Although the Common Golden-eye (Glaucionetta cangula) is plentiful here in the winter, I have not previously observed the Barrow Golden-eye. I find there are only a few records for the San Francisco Bay region, and this appears to be the first reported observation from Solano County.- EMERSON A. STONEH, Bemicia, Caliornia, February 12, 1947.
