454 
HARLEQUIN DUCK. 
OBSERVATIONS. 
Known by the small size and white patch on side of head. Distributed, in summer, throughout Arctic America, win¬ 
tering from Massachussetts, southward. 
DIMENSIONS. 
Average measurements of specimens from North America. Length, 14*00; stretch, *23*<>0; wing, 6*75; tail, 2*62; bill, 
1*15; tarsus, 1*15. Longest specimen, 15*00; greatest extentof wing, 25*00; longest wing, 7*50; tail,2*75; bill, 1*35; tarsus, 
1 30. Shortest specimen, 12*95; smallest extent of wing, 21*05; shortest wing, 5;95; tail, 2*50; bill, 1*05; tarsus, 1*00. 
DESCRIPTION OF NESTS AND EGGS. 
Nests, placed in holes of trees, composed of weeds, grass, feathers, etc. Eggs, six to twelve in number, elliptical in 
form, and greenish-buff in color. Dimensions from l*25x 1*75 to 1*50x2*03. 
HABITS. 
The Buffle-heads are well known birds, both on the coast and in the w T aters of the in¬ 
terior, for they are abundant everywhere, especially in large rivers. They dive with great 
ease, slipping under water almost as readily and quickly as a Grebe, then will remain be¬ 
neath the surface for a considerable time. The ease with which they disappear .beneath 
this yielding element, has gained for them the name of Dippers and Spirit Ducks. They 
arrive from the North in October, pass to the south of us, and return in early spring on 
their way to their northern breeding grounds, where they nest, like other members of the 
genus, in trees. 
GENUS XIII. HARELDA. THE SHORT-BILLED SEA DUCKS. 
Gen. Ch. Hill, much shorter than head, rather high at base, rounded and somewhat pointed at tip. Marginal inden¬ 
tations, nearly, or quite, closed. 
The trachea is straight and without any special dilatation. The larynx in males is expanded and provided with a bony 
frame-work. Stomach, muscular. Sexes, not similar. There are two species within our limits. 
HARELDA HISTRIONICA. 
Harlequin Duck. 
Anas lnstrionica Linn., Syst. Nat., I, 1758, 127. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Sp. Ch. Form, robust. Size, small. Color. Adult male. General color bluish-ash, palest on back and browner below. 
Patch on side of head and breast, roundish spot on side of occiput and neck, on middle wing coverts and on flanks, band on 
lower neck, tips of greater wing coverts, partof scapularies, and outer webs of tertiaries, white. Line behind eye and flanks, 
chestnut. Broad stripe on top of head, black. Speculum, purplish with violet reflections. Iris, brown, bill, greenish, and 
feet, bluish. Adult female. Ashy-brown throughout, mottled with ashy-white below, with a whitish spot in front of eye 
and one of pure white behind ear coverts. Wings and tail, brown. Young. Similar to the female, but the males show 
some markings of the adult. 
OBSERVATIONS. 
Known by the peculiar markings as described. Distributed in summer from the Gulf of St. Lawrence, northward, and 
in tlie Rocky Mountains; wintering from Massachusetts, northward, but rare south of this point. 
DIMENSIONS. 
Average measurements of specimens from North America. Length, 16*75; stretch, 25*50; wing, 6*50; tail, 3*25; bill, 
1*63; tarsus, 1*35. Longest specimen, 17*50; greatest extent of wing, 27*00; longest wing, 8*00; tail, 3*50; bill, 1*75; tarsus, 
1*50. Shortest specimen, 16*00; smallest extent of wing, 24*00; shortest wing, 7*00; tail, 2*95; bill, 1*50; tarsus, 1*25. 
DESCRIPTION OF NESTS AND EGGS- 
Nests, placed on the ground near the water, composed of sticks, weeds, etc. Eggs, six to ten in number, elliptical in 
form, and greenish-yellow in color. Dimensions from 1*30x2*00 to 1*50x2*10. 
HABITS. 
The singularly marked, but beautiful, Harlequin Ducks occur on our coast as rare win¬ 
ter visitants, but are much more common further north, although they do not appear to 
be abundant anywhere at present. They were, however, quite common about Grand Me- 
nan, where they are called Lord and Lady Ducks, some years ago, and now some are tak¬ 
en there every season, but they are rapidly growing rare, even in that remote locality. 
