690 



SYSTEMA TIC SYNOPSIS. — LAMELLIliOSTEES — ANSEEES. 



ducks, the toes and their webs not being so highly developed. None of the Anatmce are 

 extensively maritime, like most of the FuliguUnce ; yet they are by no means confined to 

 fi'esh waters, and some species constantly associate with the seaducks. They feed exten- 

 sively, like most geese, upon succulent aquatic herbage, but also upon various animal 

 substances ; their flesh is almost without exception excellent. They do not dive for their 

 food. The moult is double ; the sexes are almost invariably markedly distinct in color ; 

 . -, the young resemble the 



k '' jflS»//»Pli^'i WWrn^iMjl^^^^^ -- ^ ally a brilliant speculum, 



)v ' ^^ f^ .A ^^^^^r7-<' ^ L ^'^i<^^) like the other 



'M^i'P^^^^^^^^^^-^^^LJz^- there are about fifty spe- 



/' "^ ",-1 : - , -* "■>' f^ - ^S_^=^^_^^ — ^ - cies, generally distrib- 



FiG. 478. — Mallards. (From Lewis.) Uted over the world. 



They are split into a large number of modern genera, most of which indicate little more than 

 specific characters; the majority are represented in this country. Of those here following, 

 two. Spatula and Aix, represent decided structural peculiarity ; the rest might all be referred 

 to Anas, type of the group. The Malacorhynclius meinbranaceus, of Australia, is a notable 



exotic form. 



Aiialysis of Genera. 



Head crested ; bill narrow, the tip formed widely by the nail Atx 290 



Head not crested ; bill greatly wider at end than at base Spatula 289 



Head not crested ; bill not spoon-sliajjed. 



Tail cuneate, with narrow central feathers more than half as long as wing (f Dajila 285 



Tail not cuneate, not half as long as wing. 



Bill shorter than head ; tail-feathers lance-acute ; head not white ; belly white yg. and $ Dafila 285 



Bill shorter than head ; tail-feathers not acute ; crown and belly white Mareca 287 



Bill about as long as head, or longer. 



Wing-speculum white; wing-coverts chestnut; bill dark ; feet orange . . . Chaulelasmis 286 

 Wing-speculum violet, black-bordered; bill greenish, or dusky and orange; feet orange Jnas 284 

 Wing-speculum green ; lesser coverts blue or not ; bill dark. Very small . . Querquedula 288 



Ob.s. —The old males of all our species are unmistakable, having strong marks of color, 

 size, and form; but the females and young may not always be recognized at a glance. lu 

 examining any '' duck" of which you are in doubt, first notice the bill ; if it is naiTow and 

 cylindrical, with sharp saw-like teeth, very conspicuous, the bird is one of the 3Iergansers, 

 or "Fishing Ducks," scarcely fit for food. Ne.Kt, examine the hind toe; if it has a flap or 

 lobe hanging free, the bird is one of the FuliguUnce, which may or may not be good for the 

 table; if the hind toe is simple and slender, it is one of the Anatitue, and sure to make a 

 good dish, if in order. All the red- or orange-footed species are AnatincB (excepting the 

 Mergansers) ; but not all the Anatince have the feet thus colored. In determining female 

 and young Anatince, look to the wing-markings rather than the body-colors. The species 

 of Querquedula are very small "teal" ducks, 16 inches or less in length. 



