THE HARLEQUIN DUCKS. 



33 



and in Finland and near Archangel it is rare, though it has 

 been said to breed in the Ural Mountains. In winter the birds 

 which have bred in Eastern Siberia go south as far as the 

 Kurie Islands and Japan. 



Habits. — Although found in large flocks off the arctic sea- 

 coasts in winter, in summer the Harlequin Duck frequents 

 torrents and rushing streams. Messrs. H. J. and C. E. Pear- 

 son have given the following note on the bird in Iceland : — • 

 "This species is one of the latest Ducks to breed, our first eggs 

 being taken on July ist, and fresh eggs were brought to us on 



the 1 8th Flocks of more than thirty males were 



seen together on several occasions, and formed a beautiful 

 picture, some sitting on the rocks, and others swimming among 

 rapids that few other birds would care to frequent." 



Nest. — " Generally speaking," write Messrs. Pearson, " the 

 nest is placed within six feet of the water, a rapid stream being 

 preferred. On the nth of July one of us visited some islands 

 in a river, the remains of an ancient flow of lava. The lava had 

 formed a dam across the river, which had afterwards broken 

 through, forming four channels, and down these the waters ran 

 like a mill-race, so that it was dif^cult to find a place where 

 even Iceland ponies could cross. On these islands were six 

 nests with eggs, three of them only two feet from the water, 

 and placed under the leaves of wild angelica, the others in 

 holes of the banks close to the water, and protected by a 

 screen of trailing plants. Many of the nests contained but 

 little down, though several of the eggs were much incubated. 

 The down of this Duck is much larger than that of most other 

 species we have taken, individual pieces having sometimes a 

 diameter of about i^ inch. There were many old nests in 

 these holes, showing the islands to have been a favourite 

 breeding-place for years. The dog put the Duck off a nest of 

 seven eggs on the 9th. This was placed about ten yards from 

 the water, under a birch-bush, but we are sure that this is a 

 very unusual distance from water." 



Eggs. — From seven to ten in number ; cream-colour, smooth, 

 and glossy. Axis, 2'2-2'4 inches ; d(am., 17-175. 



Down. — Light greyish-brown, with a small white " eye " and 

 whitish filamentous tips. 



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