HARLEQUIN CARROT. 181 



surrounding the neck, a broad semilunar mark on the 

 sides of the breast, and part of the scapulars, are all 

 of a pure white : the lower part of the neck and 

 the breast are ashy-blue : the sides of the body are 

 bright red : the belly brown : the back, wings, and 

 rump are black, glossed with blue and violet : the 

 speculum of the wing is of a very deep violet : the 

 legs and membranes are of a blackish-blue. The 

 female differs considerably : all the upper part of her 

 plumage is deep brown, shaded with ash : towards 

 the forehead, and a little before the eyes, is a very 

 small white spot : towards the base of the beak and 

 on the region of the ears is a large white space : the 

 throat is whitish: the breast and belly are whitish, 

 shaded and spotted with brown : the sides of the body 

 are reddish-brown : in size she is less than the male. 

 The young of the year are varied with brown and 

 whitish, and may be distinguished by the rudiments 

 of the white spots which are apparent on the sides 

 of the head. The white collar on the neck of the 

 male does not appear till the second year. 



The Harlequin Carrot, so called from the singu- 

 larity of its markings, is an inhabitant of the northern 

 regions of the t\yo worlds, and of the eastern parts of 

 Europe, and two specimens have been killed in Scot- 

 land. Little more, however, is known of its manners 

 than that it swims and dives well, flies swift and to a 

 great height, and has a whistling note. It is said to 

 frequent bays and rivers during the summer months, 

 and to be fond of shady places, making its nest on 

 shore amongst shrubs, especially on the borders of 

 the most rocky and rapid torrents. The female lays 



