DUCKS, GEESE AND SWANS OF NORTH AMERICA, 67 



entire upper plumage, dull brown ; some of the feathers slightly washed with grayish ; breast, 

 grayish brown; rest of under parts, mottled grayish brown; wings and tail, brown, with- 

 out white. 



"Northern Korth America, breeding from Newfoundland, the northern Eooky Mountains, 

 and the Sierra Nevada, northward; south, in winter, to the Middle States and California.'' 

 (A.O. U.) 



The Harlequin Duck is nowhere very common, and seems to avoid warm 

 weather. On the Atlantic coast it rarely is found as far south as Massachu- 

 setts during the coldest winters ; but it is not uncommon on some parts of the 

 coast of Maine at that season. Occasionally, strngglers wander south, and a 

 specimen is alleged to have been taken near Gainesville, Fia. 



During the winter months it becomes a sea duck, but it builds its nest in 

 hollow stumps and trees along the banks of the cold mountain streams and 

 lakes of our interior Northern States (Rocky Mountains and Newfoundland 

 northward). The eggs are described as pale yellowish brown or greenish 

 buff, the number being usually seven or eight. A nest in my collection con- 

 tains six eggs, which measure 2.25x1.70. 



