BIRDS OF DURHAM AND VICINITY. 
23 
Harelda hyemalis. Old-squaw. 154. 
Old-squaws maybe seen fall and spring on all our tide waters. Ac- 
cording to the older gunners, they are greatly decreased in numbers 
within the last lifty years. They frequently go in pairs, male and 
female, and a prettier sight can hardly be seen than a pair of Old- 
squaws on the wing. They are small, dainty creatures, graceful as 
doves, and the profile of the male as he flies always reminds me of 
the passenger-pigeon. The name, old-squaw, and sundry other 
terms such as "old-wife,'' "old-Injun," " scolder," etc., have been 
applied to this duck in acknowledgement of its volubility. They are 
said to foretell storms, and when their cries are heard coming up from 
the water farmers prepare for bad weather. 
Histrionicus histrionicus. Harlequin Duck. 155. 
Harlequin Ducks, often styled " lords and ladies" because of their 
trim build, and striking patterns and contrasts of color, are not rare at 
Hampton in winter, but I can find no trace of them inland. Mr. 
Shaw has three or more in his collection, one being an adult male. 
They are expert divers, and scarce enough to be prized by the gunner 
so fortunate as to capture one. Small fish and mollusks are said 
to constitute their chief fare. 
Somateria dresseri. American Eider. 160. 
The American Eider is of irregular occurrence at Hampton. Mr. 
Shaw has an immature male which he took there several winters ago. 
It is not found inland, being exclusively a marine species. Its princi- 
pal food is shell fish. 
Somateria sioeotabilis. King Eider. 162. 
This species like the American Eider is only an irregular visitant on 
the coast. Mr. Shaw has a female which he shot at Hampton. The 
females of the two species closely resemble each other in size and 
color, but the distribution of feathers at the base of the bill enable 
one to distinguish between them immediately. 163. 
Oidemia americana. American Scoter. 
The scoters are a salt-water group, and it is unusual to find any of 
them on fresh water. On Great Bay, American or Black Scoters are 
common in September and October, and again in spring, though 
