332 
NEW-YORIC FAUNA-BIRDS. 
olive-brown mixed with slate-blue. Mirror occasionally brownish, with a faint purple gloss. 
Female, a small spot behind the ear, and one on the forehead, white. Above, brown; be¬ 
neath greyish white, with bars of reddish brown. 
Length, 16'5-17'5. 
This singularly marked duck varies so much in its markings, that scarcely any two indi¬ 
viduals can be found precisely alike. According to Mr. Audubon, whose opportunities for 
examining this species have been very ample, the female (except in size) varies little in its 
markings from the male ; whilst, what we in common with others have considered as the 
female, he describes as the young. 
The Harlequin Duck, or the Lord, as it was named by the early English colonists from its 
showy appearance, is but a rare and occasional visiter to the shores of New-York, which 
forms its extreme southern range. It breeds from the Bay of Fundy northwardly, laying 12 
-14 greenish yellow eggs. Its geographical range is comprised between the 40th and 74th 
parallels, and it was observed by Mr. Townsend on the Northwest coast. It occurs equally in 
Europe and America. 
(5.) Bill small, extending up the forehead, and divided by a triangular projection of feathers; 
nostrils medial: tail of 14- 16 feathers. Somateria. 
THE EIDER DUCK. 
Fuligula mollissima. 
PLATE CXIII. FIG. 250 (Male). 
(STATE COLLECTION.) 
Anas mollissima , Linnjeus, p. 198. Eider Duck, Pennant, Arct. Zool. Vol, 2, p. 553. 
A. id. Wilson, Ain. Orn. Vol. 8, p. 122, pi. 71, fig. 2 and 3. 
F. ( Somateria) id. Bonaparte, Ann. Lyc. N. V. Vol. 2, p. 388. 
Somateria id. Leaeh. Richardson, F. B. A. Vol. 2, p. 448. Audubon, B. of A. Vol. 6, p. 349, pi. 405. 
Giraud, Birds of Long island, p. 331. 
Characteristics. Branches of the bill above, narrow, pointed : no mirrow. Male, black; 
head and back white; front and sides of the crown black. Female, 
reddish brown, barred with black : two indistinct white bars across the 
wings. Length, 24'5. 
Description. Bill elevated at the base, and ascending on the forehead in two narrow 
lobes: dorsal line nearly straight, slightly concave, 2‘7 long. Nostrils large, oblong, per¬ 
vious. Tarsus short, compressed, 1'7 long. Tail short, pointed, of sixteen acuminated 
feathers. 
Color. Male adult: Bill flesh-color: feet dusky greenish. Summit of the head dark glossy 
