426 THE GAME BIRDS AND WILD FOWL 



Hencke to be rare in summer near Archangel, and a single 

 example has been obtained off the coast of Sweden. The birds 

 breeding in Eastern Siberia draw south in winter to the Kurile 

 Islands and Northern Japan ; those breeding in America visit the 

 ■Great Lakes and the Middle States during that season. 



Allied Forms. — None of sufiBcient propinquity to call for 

 notice. 



Time during which the Harlequin Duck may be taken. 

 — August ist to March ist; otherwise by authority of owner or 

 occupier of land. 



Habits. — The migrations of the Harlequin Duck are not very 

 regular or extended, and the bird appears to winter as far north 

 as it can find open water. During summer it is for the most part 

 an inland species attached to fresh water, but at the approach of 

 winter it wanders seawards, and is then principally observed in the 

 sheltered bays and inlets of rocky coasts. In summer this Duck 

 lives in scattered pairs, but in winter it congregates on the sea in 

 considerable flocks. It swims well and is a most accomplished 

 diver, some of its aquatic gambols being remarkably beautiful, as 

 it floats amongst the surf like an Eider, or darts through the 

 waterfalls in sportive play or in quest of food. As is usual with 

 these diving Ducks the present species always tries to evade pur- 

 suit by darting under the surface, and, when alarmed, sometimes 

 sinks its body so low that little more than the head is exposed to 

 view. Notwithstanding it flies well and rapidly, with wings beat- 

 ing the air so quickly as to make a characteristic whistling sound. 

 The note of this Duck appears to be undescribed, except on hear- 

 say evidence ; but most reliable authorities agree that the bird is 

 remarkably silent at all times. It is said to be a rather tame and 

 confiding species, numbers being easily killed. The food of the 

 Harlequin Duck consists of insects, both marine and fresh-water, 

 crustaceans, mollusks, and small fish. This Duck does not appear 

 to be much of a vegetable feeder, although some naturalists assert 

 that it eats various aquatic plants and weeds. Its flesh by some 

 authorities is said to be excellent, by others the reverse, doubtless 

 owing to the nature of the food on which it has been living 

 previously to being killed. 



Nidification. — The breeding season of the Harlequin Duck 



