2 20 Merriam on the Breeding of the Harlequin Duck. [October 



BREEDING OF THE HARLEQUIN DUCK 

 {HISTRIONIC US MINUTUS). 



BY C. HART MERRIAM, M. D. 



The Harlequin Duck Is an Inhabitant of the southern part of 

 the circumpolar zone which Mr. J. A. Allen, In his admirable 

 paper upon the Geographical Distribution of Animals, has desig- 

 nated the "Arctic Realm" ; and is also found In some parts of the 

 "Boreal Province" of the "North-Temperate Realm." At the 

 commencement of the breeding season it retires from the sea-coast 

 to the lakes and rivers of the interior, to return again with its 

 young In autumn, whence, keeping the salt water, it migrates 

 southward a sufficient distance to escape the masses of drifting ice 

 that harass the ragged shores of the North during the winter. 



In Siberia it Is known to breed about Lake Baikal and in the 

 Bureja Mountains (Radde) ; in Mantchuria and at various points 

 In the great IStanowoi Range (Von Middendorit) ; about the 

 Upper Amoor (Von Schrenck) ; and in Kamtchatka. On the 

 American Continent It has been found breeding along the ti'ib- 

 utaries of the Yukon in Alaska (Dall) ; in the interior of the Fur 

 Countries and about Hudson's Bay (Richardson) ; on the fresh 

 water ponds of Labrador (Audubon) ; and In the Rocky Moun- 

 tains within the limits of the United States (in Montana, Coues). 

 It also nests in Newfoundland, Greenland, and Iceland (Kruper). 



The accounts of the breeding habits of this species are extreme- 

 ly meagre, but all agree In placing its nest upon the ground, and 

 usually In close proximity to swiftly-running water. 



While in Newfoundland last winter I learned that these birds, 

 which are here called "Lords and Ladles," are common summer 

 residents on the Island, breeding along the little-frequented water- 

 courses of the interior. I was also informed, by many difterent 

 people, that their nests were built In hollow trees^ like the Wood 

 Duck's with us. Mr. James P. Howley, Geologist of Newfound- 

 land, has favored me with the following response to a letter ad- 

 dressed to him on this subject : 



"I received your note enquiring about the Harlequin Duck, 

 but delayed answering it till the arriVal of one of our Indians. 

 ... It Is quite true the birds nest in hollow stumps of trees, usual- 

 ly on islets in the lakes or tarns of the interior. They usually 

 frequent the larger lakes and rivers far from the sea-coast, but are 

 also found scattered all over the country." 



