54 



LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS — ANSERES. 



is simjily accidental on the Caspian Sea and on the Sea of Aral. It is also said to Im 

 met with about Lake Baikal, and it was found by Middendoiff only in the extieim! 

 eastern portion of Siberia. It is also a regular visitor to Japan. 



Dr. Walker mentions having obtained specimens of this Puck near Godthaab, du 

 the coast of Greenland ; and it is also given by Professor Iteinhardt as a resident 

 species of that island. Mr. Bernard Eoss found it on the Mackenzie Kiver. Captiiin 

 Blakiston met with it also at York Factory, on Hudson's Bay. It was found at Van- 

 couver by Mr. K. Browne, It occurs occasionally upon Lake Michigan in winter, but 

 it is not frequently observed there. 



Sir John llichardson states that this Duck is found, although very rarely, in the 

 Fur Eegion, where it haunts the eddies below Avaterfalls and similar localities in 

 rai)id streams. It is a very vigilant bird, taking wing at once on being disturbed ; 

 and it has never been found associating with any other species of Duck. 



Mr. Dall states that the Harlequin Duck was obtained both at Sitka and at Kadiuk 

 by Mr. Bischoff, and that it was found to be rather rare in the vicinity of tlie Yukdu 

 liiver. He speaks of it as an essentially solitary species, found either alone or in 

 pairs, and only in the most retired spots, on the small rivers Howing into the Yukdii ; 

 localities of tliis kind being those in which it breeds. It was never found on tlic 

 main river, except apparently by accident. IVIr. Dall afterward met with it at I'liu- 

 lashka, where it appeared to be rather common as a Avinter visitant, remaining there 

 Later than most of the Ducks ; and some individuals of this species seemed to resido 

 and breed there. He also speaks of it as not rare at the Shumagins in summer. 



Specimens were obtained near Fort Resolution, in May and June, by Mr. Keii- 

 nicott ; at Fort Simpson and the St. Pierre House, by Mr. B. R. Ross ; near Fort 

 Halkett, by Mr. Lockhart ; at Fort Rae and on the Barren Lands, by IMr. Clarke ; at 

 Nulato and on the Lower Yukon, by Mr. Dall ; and at Kadiak, by Mr. Bischoff. 



According to the observations of Dr. Suckley, the Harlequin Duck was found 

 sparingly on the waters of Puget Sound, not going far inland, but remaining near 

 the Straits of Fuca. As individuals have been taken there in ;May and September, 

 it is not unlikely that some of this species wander down the coast, during the colder 

 months, as far as California. 



This Duck is common, as Mr. Boardman informs me, in the neighborhood of Eiist- 

 port, Me., during the winter months, but is not supposed to breed anywhere in tliat 

 vicinity. It was formerly not uncommon in winter on the coast of Massachusetts, 

 and specimens were occasionally seen in the Boston markets from 1835 to 1840. Since 

 then it has been comparatively rare. 



On the coast of Long Island, as stated by Mr. Giraud, the Harlequin Duck is 

 very rarely seen. Indeed, he never met with other than imnuature specimens in tliat 

 vicinity. He was, however, informed by several of the more experienced of the Bay 

 hunters that, a number of years before, the appearance of adults of this species was 

 not an uncommon event. The flesh of this Duck was said to be very excellent eating. 



Professor Newton's conjecture that this Duck would be found to be a native 

 of Japan was verified by Mr. H. Whitely, who obtained a specimen in the Harl)ur 

 of Hakodadi, December 23. 



Mr. C. W. Shepard, in his interesting account of his journey in Iceland, makes 

 mention of his finding the Harlequin Duck breeding in that island. So far as liis 

 observations went, this bird seemed to confine itself to the River Laxa, whft-e it was 

 found by him breeding in holes in trees on the banks. He met with it in great 

 numbers in the northwestern portion of Iceland, but found it only on the most rai)iil 

 streams and rivers. 



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