NESTS AND EGGS OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



general color is bluish-ash, the sides of the head and of the body behind 

 are chestnut; a white patch at the base of the bill and one on the side of 

 the occiput, also on the side of the breast and tail ; two transverse ones 

 on the neck, nearly forming a collar, and several on the wings. The 

 speculum is violet-purple. The female is dark brown, with a white patch 

 on the auriculars and before the eye. Bill very short and small. The 

 nest of this species is built in hollow trees and stumps. It is composed 

 of weeds, grass, etc., warmly lined with the down from the breast of the 

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

 Ducks." 



Hab. Northern North America, breeding from Newfoundland, the Northern Rocky Mountains and the 

 Sierra Nevada northward; south in winter to the Middle States and California; Eastern Asia; Iceland. 



623. Long-tailed Duck; Old Squaw — harelda glacialis. Greenish- 

 ash; six or seven; size from 1.90 to 2.20 long by 1.40 to 1.50 broad. 

 This handsome duck breeds in the far north. It inhabits the Northern 

 Hemisphere and is especially maritime, but it is also found on inland 

 waters. Found in the United States only in winter. In Ohio it is con- 

 sidered not a common winter visitor on Lake Erie and rare in the interior 

 of the State. February 21st, 1885, I prepared five skins of this Duck, 

 all males, which were killed in the immediate vicinity (Franklin Co., O.), 

 and a number were seen hanging at the restaurant doors. I have seen 

 this February (1886) several males in the market. The Duck may be 

 recognized by its long tail and peculiar reddish-brown and brownish- black 

 and white markings. The female is without the lengthened tail feathers, 

 and is otherwise different — in fact, a very inferior-looking bird. South- 

 southerly and Old-wife are its other names. The nest is placed on the 

 ground in marshy places, made of grass, weeds, etc. 



Hab. Northern Hemisphere; in North America south to the Potomac and the Ohio. Breeds far north, 



625. Steller's Duck — polysticta stelleri. The habitat of this Duck 

 is in the Arctic and sub-Arctic coasts of the Northern Hemisphere. Dr. 

 Coues says the bird is not yet commo,n in collections, though abounding 

 and sometimes gathering in enormous flocks on the islands and both shores 

 of Behring's 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 nest is placed on the ground, 

 and is made of grass lined with down and feathers from the breast of the 

 bird. The eggs are from seven to nine in number; size 2.25 by 1.60. 

 They are of a dark greenish-drab, sometimes discolored with an oily 

 substance. 



626. Spectacled Eider — lampronetta fischeri. This Eider, with a 



