90 NESTS AND EGGS OF 



and is, on the whole, a very inferior looking bird. The eggs of this species average 

 2.05 by 1.49; they are pale, dull grayish pea-green, varying to dull light olive-buff. 



155. HARLEQUIN DUCK. Hixtrioninu histrionicu* (Linn.) Geog. Dist 

 Northern North America. 



The beautiful and singularly marked Harlequin "is an inhabitant of the south- 

 ern part of the circumpolar zone." It is not common wherever found. In many 

 parts of the Old World it is only a rare or an occasional visitor; this is the case in 

 Great Britain, France and Germany. It breeds in several places in Southern 

 Greenland, according to Mr. Hagerup. At the commencement of the breeding season 

 it leaves the sea coast and retires to the lakes and rivers of the interior regions. A 

 summary of this bird's breeding range is given by C. Hart Merriam, as follows: 

 "In Siberia it is known to breed about Lake Baikal and in the Bureja Mountains 



156. LABRADOR DUCK. 



(Radde); in Mantchuria and at various points in the great Stanowi Range (Von 

 Middendorff); about the Upper Amoor (Von Schrenck), and in Kamtschatka. On 

 the American continent it has been found breeding along the tributaries of the 

 Yukon in Alaska (Dall); in the interior of the fur countries and about Hudson Bay 

 (Richardson); on the fresh water ponds of Labrador (Audubon), and in the Rocky 

 Mountains within the limits of the United States (in Montana, Coues). It also nests 

 in Newfoundland, Greenland, and Iceland (Knippi >."* Dr. Merriam says that all 

 accounts agree that this duck nests on the ground in close proximity to swiftly 

 running water, and states that he is also informed th.it in Newfoundland the nests 

 are built in hollow trees. In some of its breeding grounds it is said to lead a solitary 

 life, being found alone or in pairs in the most retired places on small streams. The 

 nest is composed of weeds, grass, etc., warmly lined with down and feathers from 

 the breast of the bird. When the female leaves the eggs she carefully covers them up 



Hull. Nutt. riub, VII. 220. 



