HABLEQUIN DUCK J91 



this time, June 9 to l-i, they were all in pairs, but usually two or 

 three pairs seemed to stay together" (Swarth, 1931, p. 44). "They 

 spend much time out on the open water with other species of ducks, 

 but frequently leave their company to visit the mouths of small 

 streams or to ascend them for considerable distances. When slightly 

 startled on a stream they do not fly, but keep at a safe distance from 

 danger by allowing the current to carry them down stream, uncon- 

 cernedly passing through riffles and rapids and deftly avoiding, with- 

 out apparent eifort, the rocks and whirlpools" (Osgood, 1904, p. 58). 

 "Mr. Elliott found them common on and around the shores of the 

 Fur Seal Islands. There they were in the habit of 'idly floating amid 

 the surf in flocks of fifty or sixty, or basking and preening on the 

 beaches and outlying rocks' " (Nelson, 1887, pp. 74-75). 



The Harlequin Duck is an expert swimmer and diver. It is even 

 said to dive from the wing into the water and to emerge flying. Most 

 observers testify to its being a playful duck, its every action betoken- 

 ing the greatest enjoyment. Harlequins are more buoyant than many 

 of the other ducks and consequently sit higher in the water. 



Belding (MS) states that when inland the. food consists chiefly of 

 aquatic insects, to judge from the few stomachs he examined. He does 

 not believe Harlequins eat many trout, if they consume these fish at 

 all. Along the coast this duck feeds largely on mussels and other 

 shellfish obtained by diving. But other marine animals are appar- 

 ently obtained in the surf. Grinnell (1909&, p. 196) says that at 

 Chichagof Island, Alaska, this species was found to feed extensively 

 on isopod crustaceans which were gathered at high tide from under 

 stones on the beach. 



Young Harlequin Ducks taken in the high mountains are said to 

 be very palatable. Adults are rarely so because of their marine fare 

 through the winter months. Neither is the species considered seriously 

 as game — but this is because of its rarity here. The bird 's chief claim 

 for interest lies in its striking coloration, and, with nature lovers and 

 naturalists, in the peculiarities of its distribution in the state. 



The testimony of Belding, who knows most about this duck as a 

 breeding bird of California, is to the effect that it has been greatly 

 reduced in numbers. Present conditions favor still greater reduction 

 so that the early extinction of the native contingent within the state 

 seems almost a certainty. It is probable that a part, at least, of the 

 coastwise representatives are migrants from the north, and these are 

 more likely to hold their own. An absolute close season for a term 

 of years might aid the Harlequin in recouping its numbers. Certainly 

 no huntsman would have his sport greatly restricted by the establish- 

 ment of such a season for this species. 



