BREEDING OF THE HARLEQUIN DUCK 
{HISTRIONIC US M1NUTUS) . 
BY C. HART MERRIAM, M. D. 
The Harlequin Duck is an inhabitant of the southern part of 
the circumpolar zone which Mr. J. A. Allen, in his admirable 
paper upon the Geographical Distribution of Animals, has desig- 
nated the “Arctic Realm” ; and is also found in some parts of the 
“Boreal Province” of the “North-Temperate Realm.” At the 
commencement of the breeding season it retnes fiom the sea-coast 
to the lakes and rivers of the interior, to return again with its 
young in autumn, whence, keeping the salt water, it migrates 
southward a sufficient distance to escape the masses of drifting ice 
that harass the ragged shores of the North during the winter. 
In Siberia it is known to breed about Lake Baikal and in the 
Bureja Mountains (Radde) ; in Mantchuria and at various points 
in the great Stanowoi Range (Von Middendorri) ; about the 
Upper Amoor (Von Schrenck) ; and in Kamtchatka. On the 
American Continent it has been found breeding along the trib- 
utaries of the Yukon in Alaska (Dali) ; in the inteiioi of the hui 
Countries and about Hudson’s Bay (Richardson) ; on the fresh 
water ponds of Labrador (Audubon) ; and in the Rocky Moun- 
tains within the limits of the United States (in Montana, Coues). 
It also nests in Newfoundland, Greenland, and Iceland (Kruper). 
accounts ot the breeding habits of this species aie extieme- 
ly meagre, but all agree in placing its nest upon the ground, and 
usually in close proximity to swiftly-running water. 
While in Newfoundland last winter I learned that these birds, 
which are here called “Lords and Ladies,” are common summer 
residents on the Island, breeding along the little-trequented water- 
courses of the interior. I was also informed, by many different 
people, that their nests were built in hollow trees , like the Wood 
Duck’s with us. Mr. James P. Howley, geologist of Newfound- 
land, has favored me with the following response to a letter ad- 
dressed to him on this subject : 
“I received your note enquiring about the Harlequin Duck, 
but delayed answering it till the arrival of one of our Indians. 
... It is quite true the birds nest in hollow stumps of trees, usual- 
ly on islets in the lakes or tarns of the interior. They usually 
frequent the larger lakes and rivers far from the sea-coast, but are 
also found scattered all over the country.” 
BulIN.O.C, 8, Oct. 1883, P. ■ 
