84 HAHT-iEQUTN- DUCK. 



London market by Mr. Yarrell. In Cheshire one, a female, was 

 shot by the gamekeeper of Sir Philip de Malpas Grey Egerton, 

 Bart. 



In Scotland a pair were formerly obtained by Lord Seaford; 

 another was shot near Gordon Castle, on the Spey, Banifshire, 

 in October, 1851. In Orkney one, a female, has occurred. 



During its summer migration, says Selby, it is found upon 

 the coast, and frequently in deep water, at a considerable 

 distance from land. 



When not in pairs these Ducks are seen in flocks, being 

 sociable among themselves. They are very shy birds, it is 

 said, making off on wing at the slightest alarm. The male 

 and female seem much attached to each other. 



They dive with quick expertness, swim equally well, frequently 

 nodding the head, but fly in a more laboured manner, the 

 wings being short and quickly beaten. 



They feed on different kinds of shell-fish, small fry, insects 

 and their Iarva3, frogs, tadpoles, and water-plants. 



The note resembles the syllables 'eck, eck,' and is constantly 

 repeated. 



The Harlequin builds among low bushes and plants, in the 

 precincts of streams and lakes, and the neighbourhood of the 

 sea, not far from the water's edge; and 'feathers its nest' 

 with down from its own breast, the outerside materials being 

 dry leaves, stalks, grass, and reeds, arranged in a circular 

 manner to the height of two or three inches. 



The eggs are from five or six to seven in number, rarely 

 more than the former, according to Audubon, but some say 

 as many as eight, ten, or twelve, and of a white or very pale 

 buff colour, with a tinge of green. 'The texture of the egg 

 is very fine, but without polish.' 



The female is very attentive to her brood. The male leaves 

 them to her care and returns to the sea. 



Male; length, one foot five inches; bill, bluish black; iris, 

 orange reddish brown, behind it is a large white space, which 

 colour goes backward to the nape on the sides of the head 

 in two narrow bands, and below it is another stripe of bright 

 chesnut, the middle band from the bill to the hind part of 

 the head and down the neck velvet black, thus bordered on 

 each side by the white lines already mentioned. Head on the 

 sides, crown, neck, and nape, blackish grey, glossed \\$ith purple 

 violet, with the exception of the white and brown streaks 

 just spoken of, the white spot on the hinder part of the sides 



