Part 18

Notes.—A confused, but rather musical gabbling.

Nest.—On the ground near water; thickly lined with downy feathers; eggs laid in June.

Range.—Breeds from Labrador and Alaska northward; winters south to Long Island Sound and the upper Mississippi Valley.

HARLEQUIN DUCK 155. Histrionicus histrionicus. 17 in.

Male very oddly and handsomely marked, as shown; female blackish-brown, lighter below and with a whitish spot before and one behind each eye. During the winter, they are seen in flocks off the coast, from Maine and sometimes from Long Island Sound northward. In summer, they are usually found only in pairs along rivers or creeks, and in the Rocky Mountains they frequent the turbulent streams that are the homes of the Water Ouzel. When swimming, Harlequins sit high in the water, but they are able to get under the surface with the greatest of speed.

Notes.—A rapidly uttered, clattering whistle.

Nest.—On the ground, in crevices under rocks, the hollow being well lined with down; also said to nest in hollow trees; their 5 to 8 eggs are greenish-buff and measure 2.30 × 1.60; June.

Range.—Breeds from New Brunswick north and northwest to Alaska and the Arctic Ocean, and south in the Rockies to Colorado; winters south to the Middle States and Calif.

LABRADOR DUCK 156. Camptorhynchus labradorius. 20 in.

Male with the head, breast and wings, white; narrow stripe over the top of the head and down the back of the neck, ring around the neck, back, primaries and entire underparts, black. Female mottled brownish-gray and blackish, with white speculum.

Labrador Ducks were never very abundant within the memory of any living person, but they were occasionally shot and were found sometimes in the New York markets. At that time little heed was paid to them and they became extinct before anyone realized the fact. Their record has been traced down to 1875, since which time none have been taken. As far as known there are but 38 or 40 of them preserved. They were formerly found from Long Island Sound north to Labrador.

NORTHERN EIDER 159. Somateria mollissima borealis. 23 in.

Base of bill extends on either side of forehead in a point, a mark that will distinguish it from the next and very similar species, in any plumage. The female Eider presents a most remarkable difference in plumage from that of the male, and, unlike the females of most species, is a very handsome bird.

Nest.—Of grasses lined with down; concealed in tall grass or under bushes; the 6 to 10 eggs are greenish-drab (3.00 × 2.00); May, June.

Range.—Breeds on Labrador and Greenland coasts.

AMERICAN EIDER 160. Somateria dresseri. 23 in.

This is the Eider that is usually seen on the Atlantic coast and is the only one that breeds south of Labrador. The base of the bill, that encroaches on either side of the forehead is rounded, and broader than that of the last. They nest from Maine (rarely) northward, and winter south to Long Island.

KING EIDER 162. Somateria spectabilis. 23 in.

The feathers of the sides of the bill of this species do not reach to the nostril, while in the two preceding ones, they do. This is the chief point of difference in distinguishing the females, which very closely resemble each other. Adult males, as can be seen, are very different from the other Eiders. As is usual with the Eiders, the male of this species moults to a plumage resembling that of the female, during the late summer, when he has shed his wing feathers and is, for a period flightless. This is a part of Nature’s plan to give her feathered children protection when they most need it. While the females are sitting upon the eggs, they are deserted by the males, which congregate in large flocks, and drift aimlessly about until joined by the females in Fall.

Nest.—A depression in the ground, lined with feathers. Eggs like those of the last species.

Range.—Breeds from northern Labrador and the Aleutian Islands, Alaska, northward; winters south to Maine and casually to Long Island Sound.

AMERICAN SCOTER 163. Oidemia americana. 19 in.

Adult male, entirely black; bill black with enlarged base yellow; eye brown. Female plain brownish-black, lighter below. All the Scoters are better known to sportsmen as “coots,” this species being the Butter-billed Coot, while the female is the Gray Coot.

Notes.—A long musical whistle. (Elliott).

Nest.—On the ground usually well concealed. Their 6 to 10 eggs are a creamy buff color (2.50 × 1.70).

Range.—Breeds from Labrador northward. Winters south to the Middle States and Lake States.

WHITE-WINGED SCOTER 165. Oidemia deglandi. 22 in.

This species is the most abundant of the Scoters wintering off the New England coast, where they congregate in immense “rafts,” floating off shore.