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is generally in fine condition, but not considered a superior bird 

 for the table. In New-Jersey, it is called "Butter Box," or 

 " Butter Ball." Its note is a single quack. It is generally met 

 with in pairs until the appearance of Spring, when it is seen in 

 small flocks ; it arrives with us in October, remaining until the lat- 

 ter part of April, when it leaves for its summer residence at the 

 North, where it breeds. 



FULIGULA HISTRIONICA— LINN. 



HARLEQUIN DUCK. 



Anas histrionica, Wils. Amer. Om. 



Fuligula histrionica, Bonap. Syii. 



Clangula histrionica, Harlequin Duck, Sw. & Rich. 



Harlequin Duck, Fuligula histrionica, Aud. Om. Biog. 



Specific Character — Bill yellowish-olive, from the frontlet feathers 

 to the point one inch, much narrowed toward the end ; neck short, 

 body full, rounded, tail rather long, pointed. Adult male with a 

 broad streak of black commencing at the base of the upper mandi- 

 ble, passing over the top of the head, margined behind with reddish- 

 brown ; cheeks anterior to the eye, white — a spot behind the eye of 

 the same color ; a longitudinal or slightly curved line of white on 

 the neck ; sides of the head and neck purplish-blue, lighter on the 

 hind neck and above the eye ; a broad band of white below the 

 middle of the neck, fonning a complete ring; a broad band of white 

 before the wing, passing around on the breast, both edged with black ; 

 fore part of the back light blue, changing to black on the hind part; 

 quills dark brown ; scapulars white, secondaries tipped with white, 

 forming a band across the wings; fore part of the breast light blue; 

 abdomen brownish; tail grayish-black, the feathers pointed; sides 

 reddish-brown ; under the tail at the base, counter spots of white. — 

 Female, grayish-brown, intermixed with grayish-white on the breast 

 — deeper on the head and rump ; a spot of white intermixed with 

 gray anterior to the eye ; behind the ear a spot of white. Length 

 seventeen inches, wing seven inches and three-fourths. 



On the sea-coast of the United States, this singularly marked bird 

 is rarely met with. It is said that it breeds at Labrador, and is oc- 



