THE HARLEQUIN DUCKS. 
33 
^nd in Finland and near Archangel it is rare, though it has 
oeen said to breed in the Ural Mountains. In winter the birds 
^hich have bred in Eastern Siberia go south as far as the 
Kurie Islands and Japan. 
Habits. — Although found in large flocks off the arctic sea- 
coasts in winter, in summer the Harlequin Duck frequents 
torrents and rushing streams. Messrs. H. J. and C. E. Pear- 
son have given the following note on the bird in Iceland : — 
“ Phis species is one of the latest Ducks to breed, our first eggs 
toeing taken on July ist, and fresh eggs were brought to us on 
the 1 8th Flocks of more than thirty males were 
seen together on several occasions, and formed a beautiful 
picture, some sitting on the rocks, and others swimming among 
rapids that few other birds would care to frequent.” 
Nest. — “ Generally speaking,” write Messrs. Pearson, “ the 
nest is placed within si.x feet of the water, a rapid stream being 
preferred. On the nth of July one of us visited some islands 
in a river, the remains of an ancient flow of lava. The lava had 
formed a dam across the river, which had afterwards broken 
through, forming four channels, and down these the waters ran 
like a mill-race, so that it was difficult to find a place where 
even Iceland ponies could cross. On these islands were six 
nests with eggs, three of them only two feet from the water, 
and placed under the leaves of wild angelica, the others in 
holes of the banks close to the water, and protected by a 
screen of trailing plants. Many of the nests contained but 
little down, though several of the eggs were much incubated. 
Phe down of this Duck is much larger than that of most other 
species we have taken, individual pieces having sometimes a 
diameter of about inch. There were many old nests in 
these holes, showing the islands to have been a favourite 
breeding-place for years. The dog put the Duck off a nest of 
seven eggs on the 9th. This was placed about ten yards from 
the water, under a birch-bush, but we are sure that this is a 
very unusual distance from water.” 
Eggs. From seven to ten in number ; cream-colour, smooth, 
and glossy. Axis, a'a-a'q inches ; dtam., 17-175. 
Down.-— Light greyish-brown, with a small white “eye” and 
whitish filamentous tips. 
