DUCKS. 89 



LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS. (ORDER ANSERES.) 



Ducks, Geese, and Swans. (Family Anatid^.) 



This family contains some two hundred species, and 

 is represented in all parts of the world. It includes five 

 subfamilies : the Mergansers {Merginm), or Fish-eating 

 Ducks; the Pond or River Ducks {Atiatince), the Bay or 

 Sea Ducks {Faligulince) ; the Geese {Aiiserinob) ; and 

 the Swans {Cijgnince). 



Ducks, like all hunted birds, are exceedingly wild, 

 and comparatively few species will come within reach of 

 the student's opera-glass. The group may therefore be 

 reviewed briefly. The Mergansers or Shelldrakes, num- 

 bering three species, have narrow, serrate bills which 

 enable them to hold the fish they pursue and catch 

 under water (see Fig. IS). 



The River Ducks have little or no lobe or flap on the 



hind toe. In this group belong our Mallard, Widgeon, 



Pint'.iil, Blue-winged and Green-winged 



„, , ,, ' Teals, Black Duck, Wood Duck, and 



others. All but the last two nest in 



the North and are found in our latitude only during 



their spring and fall migrations, or, if the weather be 



mild, in the winter. The Black Duck and Wood Duck 



nest rarely in the Middle States. 



All these birds feed in shallow water by " dabbling " 

 or " tipping," terms which will be readily understood by 

 any one who has watched domesticated Ducks feeding. 



The Bay and Sea Ducks, on the contrary, are divers, 

 and may descend to the bottom in water more than one 

 hundred and fifty feet in depth. They are to be dis- 

 tinguished from the River Ducks by the pre:ence of a 

 flap or lobe on the hind toe. The commoner members of 



