136 ANATIDAG 
HARLEQUIN! DUCK. Cosmonetta histrionica (Linnzus). 
Colowred Fig gures.—Gould, ‘Birds of Great Britain,’ vol. v, pl. 
32; Dresser, ‘Birds of Europe,’ vol. vi, te 442: Lilford, 
‘Coloured Figures,’ vol. vii, pl. 51. 
Though abundant and resident in Iceland (Coburn, 
‘Zoologist,’ 1901), this handsome Duck is very rare as a 
British bird. Specimens have been procured from Scotland 
(J. Sowerby ‘ British Miscellany,’ 1806) ; one from Filey on 
the Yorkshire coast in the autumn of 1862, which is pre- 
served in the collection of Mr. Whitaker, of Rainworth ; 
two from the Northumberland coast on December 2nd, 
1886, now in the collections of Mr. R. W. Chase and Rev. 
Julian Tuck (Saunders). 
DESCRIPTIYE CHARACTERS. 
PLUMAGE. Adult male nuptial.—Head, throat, and neck, 
bluish-black ; partially encircling the neck are two white 
collars, the upper margined with a thin band of black; in 
front of the eye is a large patch of white, behind the eye a 
smaller one and running down the back of the neck is a 
white stripe; on top of the head there is a black band, 
margined on either side with white and chestnut which 
extend from the front to the back of the head; back and 
upper tail-coverts, bluish-black ; scapulars, wing-coverts, and 
secondaries, patched with white and purple; primaries and 
tail, brownish ; breast and abdomen, brownish-grey ; flanks, 
reddish-brown; on either side of the tail there is a small 
white spot. 
Adult male, post-nuptial or eclipse.-—“ Eclipse male 
resembles female, but much darker in general plum- 
age; mantle, flanks, and under parts being slaty-black ; 
assumed about the end of July or early in August.” 
(Described by Mr. F. Coburn, from a specimen in his 
collection.) 
Adult female nuptial—Rather sombre-plumed; back 
and neck, brownish; breast and front of neck, mottled 
brownish-white ; abdomen, impure white; there is a large 
' The appropriate name of ‘ Harlequin’ has been given to this species 
on account of the well-marked patches, stripes, and incomplete rings of 
white, which stand out in bold relief against the dark ground-shades of 
the cheeks and neck. 
