332 NEW-YORK FAUNA BIRDS. 



olive-brown mixed with slate-blue. Mirror occasionally brownish, with a faint purple gloss. 

 Female, a small spot behind the ear, and one on the forehead, white. Above, brown ; be- 

 neath greyish white, with bars of reddish brown. 



Length, 16-5-17-5. 



This singularly marked duck varies so much in its markings, that scarcely any two indi- 

 viduals can be found precisely alike. According to Mr. Audubon, whose opportunities for 

 examining this species have been very ample, the female (except in size) varies little in its 

 markings from the male ; whilst, what we in common with others have considered as the 

 female, he describes as the young. 



The Harlequin Duck, or the Lord, as it was named by the early English colonists from its 

 showy appearance, is but a rare and occasional visiter to the shores of New-York, which 

 forms its extreme southern range. It breeds from the Bay of Fundy northwardly, laying 12 

 — 14 greenish yellow eggs. Its geographical range is comprised between the 40th and 74th 

 parallels, and it was observed by Mr. Townsend on the Northwest coast. It occurs equally in 

 Europe and America. 



(5.) Bill small, extending up the forehead, and divided by a triangular projection of feathers; 

 nostrils medial : tail of 14 - 1G feathers. Somateria. 



THE EIDER DUCK. 



FtTLIGULA MOLLISSIMA. 

 PLATE CX1II. FIG. 200 (Male). 



(STATE COLLECTION.) 



Anas mollissima, Linn.eus, p. 198. Eider Duck, Pennant, Arct. Zool. Vol. 2, p. 553. 

 A. id. Wilson, Am. Orn. Vol. 8, p. 122, pi. 71, fig. 2 and 3. 

 F. (Somateria) id, Bonaparte, Ann. Lye. N. Y. Vol. 2, p. 388. 



Somateria id. Leadh. Richardson, F. B. A. Vol. 2, p. 448. Addubon, B. of A. Vol. 6, p. 349, pi. 405. 

 Giradd, Birds of Long island, p. 331. 



Characteristics. Branches of the bill above, narrow, pointed: no mirrow. Male, black; 

 head and back white ; front and sides of the crown black. Female, 

 reddish brown, barred with black : two indistinct white bars across the 

 wings. Length, 24 "5. 



Description. Bill elevated at the base, and ascending on the forehead in two narrow 

 lobes: dorsal line nearly straight, slightly concave, 2*7 long. Nostrils large, oblong, per- 

 vious. Tarsus short, compressed, 17 long. Tail short, pointed, of sixteen acuminated 

 feathers. 



Color Male adult: Bill flesh-color: feet dusky greenish. Summit of the head dark glossy 



