The Martha's Vineyard Times A male harlequin duck has an elaborate pattern on the head and chest, which may account for its name. — Laura Whitehouse, USFWS Waterfowl — and about 40 species of ducks, geese, and swans have been recorded on Martha’s Vineyard — may seem to be a boring group. Some species are abundant, at least seasonally, to the point that one gets tired of them. Even the uncommon species typically exhibit unexciting behavior, spending most of their time just sitting on the water. And often, these birds must be viewed at long range, where the subtleties (if th...