THE HARLEQUIN DUCK. 

 Cosmonetta histrionica (Linnaeus). 

 Plate 50. 



The Harlequin Duck is an extremely rare visitor to the British Islands, and 

 although most of the records of its occurrence are open to doubt, the male picked 

 up on the shore at Filey, Yorkshire, in the autumn of 1862, now in the collection 

 of Mr. J. Whitaker of Rainworth, Notts, and the two males obtained out of a 

 party of three birds near the Farne Islands, Northumberland, in December 1886, 

 in the possession of Mr. R. W. Chase and the Rev. Julius Tuck, are well 

 authenticated. In British Diving Ducks, Millais has added another record which 

 he considers above suspicion, viz. "an adult male killed near the Fames in 

 December 1882 by one Cuthbertson, and now in the possession of Lord William 

 Percy at Alnwick Castle." 



This very conspicuous duck inhabits Iceland, where it is not uncommon as 

 a breeding species, and is also found in eastern Siberia, Greenland, and over a 

 great part of North America, being abundant in many places. 



The nest is usually placed in holes, or under the cover of vegetation on the 

 banks of some rapid stream, or on an island surrounded by rushing water, and 

 contains from five to ten cream-coloured eggs, the normal number, according to 

 Howard Saunders, being seven. 



In winter the Harlequin Duck takes to the sea ; seeking its food, which consists 

 chiefly of shell-fish, crustaceans, and other marine creatures, by diving to the 

 bottom, undeterred by the fear of breakers or rapid currents. 



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