SEA DUCKS 103 



back black. Plumage of female and immature : patch on each side of head ; 

 the speculum, breast and belly white ; rest of head, the neck and upper parts 

 in general grayish brown. Wing 6.50 to 7.00 in male and 5.75 to 6.00 in 

 female ; culmen 1.12 in male and 0.98 in female ; tarsus about 1.25 in male 

 and 1.12 in female. 



Geog. Dist. — North America, breeding from Maine (exceptional) and Mon- 

 tana northward ; wintering from Maine south to the West Indies and Mexico. 



County Records. — Androscoggin; common migrant, (Johnson). Cumber- 

 land; rare in northern county, (Mead); common, (Brock). Franklin; rare 

 migrant, (Sweet). Hancock; occasional coastwise, (Knight). Knox; winter, 

 (Rackliff). Oxford; common visitant, (Nash). Penobscot; occasional in 

 fall and spring, (Knight). Piscataquis; common migrant, (Homer). Saga- 

 dahoc ; formerly plenty, now scarce, (Spinney). Waldo ; occasional, (Knight). 

 Washington; common spring and fall, breeds, (Boardman). 



This sprightly little bird is general along the coast from late 

 October until late April, while inland it is found in October 

 and November and again in early May. It is not known to 

 breed anywhere in Maine except in Washington County, and 

 rarely there, there being no recent record. The nest is placed 

 in a hollow tree or stump near a pond or stream, and is a mere 

 lining of grass heavily reinforced by down. Six to twelve light 

 buff eggs are laid which measure about 2.00 x ] .45 according 

 to the authorities. 



The birds hate to fly unless positively driven to it, in times 

 of danger preferring to seek safety by diving. I have never 

 heard the species utter any cry or call though they doubtless 

 have some note. In inland regions they feed on chubs, shiners, 

 small trout fry, and other small fish. Along the coast their 

 diet is very similar. They dive at a gun shot almost as well 

 as a Grebe. 



Genus HARELDA Stephens. 



154. Harelda Jiyemalis (Linn.). Old-squaw; Old-wife; 

 South Southerly. 



Plumage of adult male in winter : sides of head gray ; rest of head, the 

 neck and upper chest, upper back and lower belly white ; dusky patch on 

 each side of neck; back, breast and upper belly black; sides tinged pearl 

 gray ; yellowish band across end of bill ; central tail feathers narrow, much 



