MALLARD 



93 



Voice — Of female: a loud, oft repeated "quack," like that of the domestic 

 duck. Of male: similar but much softer, more wheezy. 



Nest — Generally on ground near water, hidden in clumps of willows, weeds, 

 tules, but more often in tall grass; crudely made of leaves and grasses but 

 warmly and copiously lined with down; about seven inches in inside diameter. 



Eggs — 5 to 14, bluntly ovate, measuring in inches, 2.06 to 2.5.5 by 1.50 to 1.80 

 (in millimeters, 52.3 to 64.7 by 38.0 to 45.7); in color yellowish drab or pale 

 greenish white (Baird, Brewer and Eidgway, 1884, I, p. 499; and one set from 

 Alaska). Eggs of the Mallard resemble those of the Gadwall enough for the 

 two to be confused. Mallard eggs average slightly larger, and have a greenish 

 rather than buffv tone of coloration. 



Mallard 



Fig. 9. Side of bill. 



Fig. 10. Top of bill. Natural size. 



Note broad outline (height at base more than one-third 

 total length), and presence of cross-ridges on sides of lower 

 mandible as showing near base (compare with figs. 5-8). 



General distribution — The Northern Hemisphere generally. In North 

 America breeds from western Alaska, east through Canada to Hudson Bay, 

 and in Greenland; thence south through the United States to Lower California, 

 southern Kansas, southern Indiana, and (rarely) Maryland; winters from 

 Alaska (sparingly), and the northern United States, south to Mexico and 

 Panama; casual in Bermuda and Hawaii. In the Old World also migratory, 

 wintering south to northern Africa and India (modified from A. O. U. Check- 

 list, 1910, p. 68). 



Distribution in California — Common resident in suitable localities through- 

 out the state, but much more abundant in winter than in summer. A typical 

 fresh-water duck, occurring but sparingly on salt water. Most abundant 

 around fresh-water ponds and streams in the interior valleys. Breeding 

 stations numerous and widelv distributed. 



