The Harlequin Duck. ^^ 



islands were six nests witli eggs ; three of them only two feet from the water, and 

 placed under the leaves of the wild angelica; the others in holes of the banks 

 close to the water, and protected by a screen of trailing plants. Most of the nests 

 contained but little down, though some of the eggs were much incubated." During 

 the time the females are sitting the males, like many other Ducks, keep apart in 

 flocks. The eggs are a creamy-buflF, the down greyish. 



The dress of the adult is extremely handsome, rich and variegated, and made 

 up of spots, stripes and bands, in true harlequin fashion ; the bill, in fresh killed 

 specimens, is slaty-blue; tarsi and feet much the same, with the webs darker; 

 irides orange. 



" From the base of the bill to the nape is a broad band of bluish -black, 

 margined on each side behind with light red, before with white, continuous with 

 a large patch of the same occupying the space between the eye and the bill. The 

 sides of the head and neck all round are purplish-blue. Behind the ear is a 

 roundish white spot, and on each side of the neck a longitudinal band of the 

 same. About the middle of the neck is a ring, and at its lower part a curved 

 band of white, margined with black. The fore part of the back is light purplish- 

 blue, the hind part darker, the rump black all round, with a white spot on each 

 side at the base of tail. The scapulars are for the most part white ; the wing- 

 coverts, alula, and primary-coverts, are purplish- blue ; quills dusky-brown, with 

 reddish-brown shafts ; the tips of the secondaries, and outer webs of the inner, 

 white ; the tail is brownish-black, tinged with grey ; the fore part of the breast 

 is purplish-blue, its hind part and the abdomen brownish- grey, the sides light red." 

 The description is Macgillivray's, and probably taken from an adult American 

 example. It will give a very good idea of the very remarkable variegated and 

 bizarre appearance of this handsome bird. 



The female is a singular contrast to her partner, and very plainly dressed, the 

 general plumage a sober brown. There is a rather obscure white patch on the 

 forehead, also one on each side behind the eyes, like finger marks. 



The male has a very remarkable trachea. I am unable to give any information 

 regarding its call ; it is said to be a very silent Duck, which quite bears out what 

 I have before said, that the birds with the most remarkable of these organs exhibit 

 the least vocal powers. 



Vol. IV 



2 E 



