454 - HARLEQUIN DUCK. 



OBSERVATIONS. 



Known by the small she nnd white patch on side of head. Distributed, in summer, throughout Arctic America, win- 

 tering from Massachussetts, southward. 



DIMENSIONS. 



Average measurements of specimens from North America. Length, 14*00; stretch, 23*00; wing, 6*75; tail, 2'62; hill, 

 T15; tarsus, 1*15. Longest specimen, 15'00; greatest extent of wing, 25'<K>; longest wing, 7*50; tail, 2*75; bill, 1*35; tsirsus, 

 1*30. Shortest specimen, 12'95; smallest extent of wing, 21*05; shortest wing, 5*95; tail, 2-50; bill, 1*05; tarsus, TOO. 



DESCRIPTION OF NESTS AND EGOS. 



Nests, placed in boles of trees, composed of weeds, grass, feathers, etc. Eyys, six to twelve in number, elliptical in 

 form, and greenish-buff in color. Dimensions from 1*25 x 1*75 to 1*50x2*03. 



.' HABITS. 



The Buffle-heads are well known birds, both on the coast and in the waters of the in- 

 terior, for they are abundant everywhere, especially in large rivers. They dive with great 

 ease, slipping under water almost as readily and quickly as a Grebe, then will remain be- 

 neath the surface for a considerable time. The ease with which they disappear beneath 

 this yielding clement, has gained for them the name of Dippers and Spirit Ducks. They 

 arrive from the North in October, pass to the south of us, and return in early spring on 

 their way to their northern breeding grounds, where they nest, like other members of the 

 genus, in trees. 



GENUS XIII. HARELDA. 'THE SHORT-BILLED SEA DUCKS. 



GEM. CH. Jiill, much shorter than head, rather high at base, rounded and somewhat pointed at tip. Marginal inden- 

 tations, nearly, or quite, closed. 



The trachea is straight and without any special dilatation. The larynx in males is expanded and provided with a bony 

 frame-work. Stomach, muscular. Sexes, not similar. There are two species within our limits. 



HAEELDA HISTEIONICA. 



Harlequin Duck. 

 Anas histrionica LINN., Syst. Nat., I, J758, 127. 



DESCRIPTION. 



SP. Cn. Form, robust. Size, small. COLOR. Adultmale. General color bluish-ash, palest on back and browner below. 

 Patch on side of head and breast, roundish spot on side of occiput and neck, on middle wing coverts and on flanks, band on 

 lower neck, tips of greater wing coverts, part of scapularies, and outer websoftertiaries, white. Line behind eye anJ Hank-, 

 chestnut. Broad stripe on lop of head, black. Speculum, purplish with violet reflections. Iris, brown, bill, greenish, and 

 feet, bluish. Adult female. A.shy-brown throughout, mottled with ashy-white below, with a whitish spot in front of eye 

 and one of pure white behind ear coverts. Wing.? and tail, brown. Youny. Similar to the female, but the males show 

 some markings of the adult. 



OBSERVATIONS. 



Known by the peculiar markings as described. Distributed in summer from the Gulf of St. Lawrence, northward, and 

 in the Rocky Mountains; wintering from Massachusetts, northward, hut rare south of this point. 



DIMENSIONS. 



Average measurements of specimens from North America. Length, 16'75; stretch, 25*50; wing, *50; tail, 3*25; bill, 

 1*63; tarsus, 1*35. Longest specimen, 17*50; greatest extent of wing, 27*00; longest wing, 8~00; tail, 3-50; bill, 1*75; tarsus, 

 1*50. Shortest specimen, 16*00; smallest extent of wing, 24*00; shortest wing, 7*00; tail, 2*95; bill, 1*50; tarsus, 1-25. 



DESCRIPTION OF NESTS AND EGGS- 



Nests, placed on the ground near the water, composed of sticks, weeds, etc. Eyyi, six to ten in number, elliptical in 

 form, and greenish-yellow in color. Dimensions from 1 -30x2-00 to 1*50x2*10. 



HABITS. 



The singularly marked, but beautiful, Harlequin Ducks occur on our coast as rare win- 

 ter visitants, but are much more common further north, although they do not appear to 

 be abundant anywhere at present. They were, however, quite common about Grand Me- 

 nan, where they are called Lord and Lady Ducks, some years ago, and now some are tak- 

 en there every season, but they are rapidly growing rare, even in that remote locality. 



