THE HARLEQUIN DUCK. 



( Histrionicus histrionicus) 



The Harlequin Duck is the sole repre- 

 sentative of the genus to which it be- 

 longs. The generic and the specific 

 names (Histrionicus), which unfortu- 

 nately the strict rules of scientific naming 

 require in the case of this bird to be the 

 same, are from the Latin word meaning 

 harlequin. This word, meaning a buf- 

 foon, is especially appropriate, for the 

 arrangement of the colors on its head, 

 neck and back give the bird a peculiar 

 appearance, especially during the mating 

 season. At this time, too, the drollery 

 of their actions is very noticeable. 



Harlequin is not the only name by 

 which this bird is known. In the New 

 England States and northward along the 

 Atlantic coast it is frequently called the 

 "Lord and Lady," because of the white 

 crescents and spots of its plumage and 

 the proud bearing of the male. It is also 

 called the Rock Duck, the Mountain 

 Duck and the Squealer. 



Its range covers the northern portion 

 of North America, Europe and Asia. "It 

 is not common wherever found. In many 

 parts of the Old World it is only a rare 

 or occasional visitor; this is the case in 

 Great Britain, France and Germany." In 

 the United States, during the winter, it 

 passes southward into Illinois, Missouri 

 and California. It breeds only in the 

 northern part of its range. 



It is a mountain duck and "frequents 

 swiftly running streams, where it de- 

 lights to sport among the eddies below 

 water falls or in the brawling rapids." It 

 is not only an adept in the art of swim- 

 ming and diving, but it also flies swiftly 

 and to a great height. During the win- 

 ter it frequents northern sea coasts and 



exhibits the characteristics of other sea 

 ducks, and is occasionally found far out 

 at sea. It is known that the Harlequin 

 will lead a solitary life, and it is some- 

 times observed in pairs or even alone on 

 streams of remote and unfrequented lo- 

 calities. 



The sexes vary greatly. While the 

 male, which is the sex of the bird of our 

 illustration, is brightly colored, the fe- 

 male is much more somber. The young 

 resemble the adult female. 



The food of the Harlequin consists al- 

 most entirely of the parts of aquatic 

 plants and the smaller crustaceans and 

 mollusks. The food is obtained by div- 

 ing, frequently through several feet of 

 water. Mr. Chapman tells us that the 

 sea ducks in diving to obtain food, will 

 "sometimes descend one hundred and 

 fifty feet or more." 



Its nest, though usually placed on the 

 ground, is sometimes built in the hollow 

 of a tree or a hollow stump, though al- 

 ways near a body of water. The nest is 

 usually a simple structure made of the 

 stems of water plants, twigs and grass 

 thickly lined with the downy feathers 

 from the breast of the duck. The eggs 

 are occasionally laid on the grass, and no 

 effort is made to build a nest. The fe- 

 male thoroughly covers the eggs when 

 she leaves the nest. 



The number of eggs varies from six to 

 eight, though ten have been recorded. 

 They are of a "yellowish buff or green- 

 ish yellow" color. 



This duck is considered an excellent 

 food and is much sought for by the na- 

 tives of those regions which it frequents. 



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