THE BIRD BOOK 



133. Black Duck. Anas rubripes. 



Range. — Eastern North America, breeding from 

 the middle portions nortli to the Hudson Bay ter- 

 ritory and Labrador. 



Throughout their breeding region, one or more 

 pairs of tliese ducks nest in nearly every favorable 

 locality. Tlieir nests are placed on the ground 

 in marslies, swamps or fields bordering a pond 

 or lal<:e, the nest being concealed in the long grass 



Black Duck 



Florida Duck 



Pale greenish buff 



or reeds. They breed in equal abundance, either 

 in the interior or along the sea coast; in the lat- 

 ter case their nests are often placed beside of, or 

 under an overhanging rock. It is made of weeds, 

 grass and moss and is lined with feathers and 

 down. They lay from six to twelve eggs during 

 May and June; these are buff or greenish buff in 

 color. Size 2.30 x 1.70. Data.— Duck Is., Maine, 

 June 3, 1893. Nest of grasses, concealed in a 

 large tuft on water's edge. 



IS'i. Florida Duck. Anas fulvigula fulvigiila. 



Range. — Florida and the Gulf of the Mississippi. 



This is a similar, lighter colored, locally distributed race of the foregoing. 

 The most noticeable difference in plumage between this and the Black Duck is 

 the absence of markings on the chin. The habits are the same, and the eggs, 

 which are deposited in April, are similar to those of the Black Duck, but 

 smaller. Size 2.15 x 1.60. 



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