SEA DUCKS 



(155) Histrionicus histrionicus 



(Linn.) (Lat,, histricmic. rcjfcTring to the 

 very odd or "stage dress" of the male). 



HARLEQUIN DUCK; PAINTED 

 DUCK. Ad. c? — As shown — the 

 most fantastically marked of all 

 ducks. Ad. 9 — As shown by the 

 swimming bird. Eront of face and 

 spot on ears white; rest of plumage 

 sooty-gray, lighter on the belly. 

 L., .16.50; W., 7.50; T., 3.50; H., 

 1. 10. 9 Slightly smaller. Nest — On 

 the ground or in hollow stumps near 

 streams; five to eight greenish-buff 

 eggs, 2.30 X 1.60. 



Range — Breeds in Canada and 

 .\Iaska and south in mountains to 

 Cal. and Colo. Winters south to Me. 

 (casually Long Island), Mich, and 

 Monterey, Cal. 



It is rather remarkable that the two species of ducks 

 having long middle tail feathers, the present one and the 

 Pintail, should be the only ones that make a practice of 

 diving into the water while in full flight. During spring, 

 the female Old-squaw is often pursued by her suitor or 

 several of them and, when hard pressed, she will often 

 attempt escape by plunging under water while at full speed, 

 emerging at some distance and taking to the air again. 



Old-squaws breed within the Arctic Circle and are one of 

 the last species to appear within our borders in fall. They 

 are most abundant, during winter, in bays and sounds 

 along the Atlantic coast, but are also to be found in numbers 

 on the Great Lakes. They are not found on our west 

 coast except in Alaska. They feed upon various small fish, 

 shellfish and insects, and their flesh is regarded as tough 

 and unpalatable. Their voices are soft and musical, the 

 notes bearing some resemblance to the words "South-south- 

 southerly, " on account of which they are often called " South- 

 southerlys. " Whether flying, feeding or resting, they 



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