NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 73 



(Richardson) ; on the fresh water ponds of Labrador (Audubon), and in 

 the Rocky Mountains within the limits of the United States (in Mon- 

 tana, Coues). It also nests in Newfoundland, Greenland, and Iceland 

 (Kruper)."* Dr. Merriam says that all accounts agree that this duck 

 nests on the ground in close proximity to swiftly running water, and 

 states that he is also informed that in Newfoundland the nests are 

 built in hollow trees. In some of its breeding grounds it is said to 

 lead a solitary life, being found alone or in pairs in the most retired 

 places on small streams. The nest is composed of weeds, grass, etc., 

 warmly lined with down and feathers from the breast of the bird. 

 When the female leaves the eggs she carefully covers them up with 

 down. 



In some places the Harlequins are called " Lord and Lady Ducks." 

 The male is second only to the Wood Duck in beauty, and the female 

 will bear no comparison to the same sex of that species. 



The eggs are six to eight in number, rounded oval, yellowish-buff 

 or greenish yellow, and measure 2-3OX 1.62. 



157. Eniconetta Stelleri (PALL.) [625.] 



Steller's Duck. 



Hab. Arctic and sub-Arctic coasts of Northern Hemisphere. 



The summer home of Steller's Duck is in very high Arctic lati- 

 tudes. It breeds in Northern Russia, in Europe and in Siberia, nesting 

 in the latter part of June, depositing from seven to nine eggs. It is 

 said to breed on the inaccessible rocks of Kamtschatka, on the islands 

 of Bering Sea, and sparingly on some of the Aleutian Islands. In its 

 habits it resembles the Common Eider. The nest is placed on the 

 ground and is made of grass, thickly lined with down and feathers 

 from the breast of the bird. Dr. Coues says the bird is not yet com- 

 mon in collections, though abounding and sometimes gathering in 

 enormous flocks on the islands and both shores of Bering Sea and 

 the Arctic coast of Northeastern Siberia. It winters mainly on the 

 Aleutian Islands, and is usually found in company with the Pacific, 

 Spectacled and King Eiders. The eggs vary from pale olive-buff to 

 pale olive or pale green and measure 2.30 by 1.62. 



158. Arctonetta fischeri (BRANDT). [626.] 



Spectacled Eider. 



Hab. Coast of Alaska, north to Point Barrow. 



This Eider with a peculiarly dense and puffy patch of velvet feath- 

 ers about the eye, suggesting spectacles, has nesting habits similar to 

 the American Eider, 6". dresseri. The eggs are also similar. 



"Bull. NuttClub. VIII, 220. 



