HARLEQUIN DUCK (Histrionicus histri- 

 onicus). A handsome and trim species, al- 

 though the male is garbed in a clownish 

 manner. Its peculiarities are not confined to 

 plumage, for Harlequins are rather solitary 

 in their habits, while most ducks like com- 

 pany of their own kind. 



They breed from the Arctic coast and 

 Greenland south to Newfoundland and Brit- 

 ish Columbia, and in mountains to Colo- 

 rado. They frequent, from choice, turbulent 

 streams such as are chosen by Golden-eyes, 

 and most frequently lay their six to eight 

 buffy eggs in feather and down-lined hol- 

 lows near the banks. In some sections it is 

 also said that they nest in hollow trees. In 

 winter they may be found locally throughout 

 northern United States, but they are most 

 abundant off the coasts from Newfoundland 

 to Massachusetts and from the Aleutian 

 Islands to California. 



In Alaska they are said to congregate in 

 large flocks before and after breeding, but 

 most observers in the States have found 

 them in small numbers or even as individ- 

 uals. 



They are medium-sized ducks, measuring 

 about 17 in. in length, but are unfit for food 

 since their flesh is quite tough, coarse and 

 tasteless. They are very active in the water ; 

 can dive very quickly and can swim to great 

 depths in search of their food of mollusks and insects. They also rise from 

 the water with the greatest ease and can fly very rapidly. They are usu- 

 ally quite silent, but are said to utter shrill whistles during the mating 

 season. 



RUDDY DUCKS (Erismatura jamaicensis} , although small, measuring 

 only about 16 in. in length, are regarded as very fine table birds. Both bill 

 and feet are of unusual size, the latter propelling them through the water 

 very swiftly. The narrow-feathered, stiff tail is usually perked comically 

 over the back as they float upon the water. Their short, concave wings 

 make a buzzing sound during flight, causing them to be known as 

 "Bumblebee Coot" among sportsmen. They breed locally in the Northern 

 States and northward and winter throughout the United States. 



HARLEQUIN DUCK 

 RUDDY DUCK 



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