Family ANATIDAE. 



Anas boschas L. — Mallard. 



(Plate 183, fig. a-c). 

 (Snouckaert: Avifauna Ncerlandica, p. 125, No. 298). 



Colour of surface of shell; 



Average dimensions: 

 Average weight of shell : 

 Texture of shell: 

 Shape : 

 Nest: 



Down (in bulk): 



Small feathers: 



Site of nest: 



Number of eggs: 

 Breeding season: 



Duration of incubation: 



whitish green, inclining sometimes more to 

 white, and sometimes to green ; yellowisli, 

 occasionally tinged more or less brownish. 



56 X 41 millimetres. 



about 4 grams. 



fine and smooth. 



elliptical or compressed ovoidal. 



composed of vegetable materials, lined with 

 down. 



dark brown, with greyish white spots here 

 and there. 



base and top white; between the two: pale 

 brown. 



on the ground among grass; on heaths under 

 shrubs; among reeds in pools; also 

 sometimes on pollard willows. 



usually 8 — 12 (sometimes more). 



March until in June. 



about 27 days. 



