The Blaclc Duck, — Anas ohscura. 147 



" This species feeds near the shores of streams, and may be found generally 

 »n small creeks, lakes, and inland ponds. Its food principally consists of 

 seeds, insects, and small aquatic plants, and it is also fond of grain of different 

 kinds. Large flocks often resort in spring, when the banks of the small 

 rivers are overflown, to stubble fields, particularly where oats have been 

 eown, and solitary pairs are very frequently met with in small pools in fields 

 aod meadows adjacent to rivers. 



" The Black Duck, seldom, or never dives when feeding ; but when 

 wounded, if, for instance, only a wing is broken, it is one of the most cunning 

 and expert divers to be found. In this case, if one is shot when flying and 

 happens to fall into the water, unless the sportsman is experienced in the 

 business, and has a second barrel ready to discharge immediately, there are 

 ten chances to one that he does not get another sight of his game after the 

 first dive. Under such circumstances, they will rise to the surface of the 

 ■water, exposing only the head as far as the eyes, and the instant they have 

 taken breath, or fancy themselves seen, the head is again drawn under water. 

 In this manner they will dive a distance of ninety or one hundred yards. 



" The Black Duck, however, when wounded, invariably resorts to the 

 'shore, and travels on land sometimes nearly an acre from the waters. If the 

 sportsman can boast the possession of a well trained dog with a keen nose, 

 his chance is still good. The instant such a dog strikes the trail of the 

 wounded bird, he will follow it up with unerring certainty, and capture the 

 game. 



" This fine species of duck is exceedingly wary and difficult to approach, 

 except on ground where the shore cover is thick. The least noise, the 

 breaking of a dry twig, for instance, puts them on the alert, and the appear- 

 ance of man, even at a distance of three hundred yards, will cause them to 

 take wing. The only time at which they can be approached easily, is at 

 the dawn of the morning when they first make their appearance at their 

 feeding grounds. Except at this early hour, when alarmed, they will rise to 

 a great height in the air and fly a long distance before they again alight ; 

 jiiid it is invariably more difficult to approach them after being once alarmed,, 

 "ihan at first. 



"■ The flesh of this species, if not superior, is at least equal to that of 

 any other known. It is fully equal to that of the tame duck, to which latter 

 it bears a very full and marked resemblance in form and size. Its unifor- 

 mity of plumage, however, will give it a claim to distinctiveness as a species, 

 although it may be a question whether it has not a strong claim to be a part 

 of the parent stock of the donacstic duck as well as the wild mallard.. 



" The black duck breeds here oa the banks of remote streams and small 

 cjpeeks and lakes. The female lays from twelve te fourteen eggs,, and may 

 often be seen with a dozen young ones following her early in the month of 

 July. Of these, probably about six or eight, frequently a fewer number, 

 arrive at maturity, owing to their exposure to the attacks of the " Mink," the 

 " Weasel," and other small predatory animals, from the ravages of which, toge- 

 ti»er with the fox, largo numbers of the young broods are destroyed before 

 Ihey are able to flj. 



