98 GAME BIIiDS OF CALIFORNIA 



Young ]\lallards are found in greatest abundance in May. They 

 are led to water by the mother soon after hatching. The mother care- 

 fully tends the young, and aids them in obtaining food so that they 

 soon learn to find their own provender. As far as known under 

 normal circumstances but one brood is raised each year. The broods 

 of 3^oung as a rule keep tliemselves well concealed among the tules and 

 grass. When surprised in open water the ducklings scurry to cover 

 and conceal themselves so artfully that they are very difficult to find. 

 After diving, a young bird either clings motionless to the weeds on 

 the bottom or swims for a long distance under water. When coming to 

 the surface the bill alone is exposed above the water. For this reason 

 a whole brood may disappear as if by magic and the closest search 

 result only in failure. Unlike the adult, the young Mallard is said 

 to obtain much of its food by diving. This habit would be of value 

 also as a means of escape from enemies during the considerable period 

 of time before flight becomes possible. 



Mallards in California seldom gather in large flocks as do many 

 of the other ducks. As a rule, they are found in pairs or at best in 

 small flocks. Their ability to walk on land is far superior to that of 

 most other ducks. In flight they progress by continuous rapid strokes 

 of the wing, no sailing being evident. The wing beats are accom- 

 panied by a distinct whistling sound. A speed of nearly a hundred 

 miles an hour is said to be attained (Baird, Brewer and Ridgway, 1884, 

 I, p. 498). 



Among most male ducks a remarkable change in plumage takes 

 place during the summer months. Because this plumage overshadows 

 the brighter plumage of the spring months it is known as the 

 "eclipse" plumage. In such a bright colored bird as is the drake 

 Mallard in spring, the change to the eclipse plumage is particularly 

 noticeable. The change is first to be noted in June ; a few birds seen 

 on Lower Klamath Lake, June 5, 1914, were already assuming the 

 eclipse plumage. The old feathers of the head and breast gradually 

 drop out and new ones take their places. By August first the green 

 of tlie head has been entirely replaced by brownish feathers and the 

 bird looks at a little distance very much like the female, except that 

 it is darker. 



During August the regular annual molt takes place and the sombre 

 brown of the eclipse plumage in turn gives place to the brighter colors 

 of the plumage worn throughout winter and spring. There are thus 

 two molts during the year, and two plumages, one of which is worn 

 for only a few weeks in the late summer. During the late summer 

 molt, which involves the entire plumage, the Mallard hides away in 

 rank vegetation, concealing itself so well that it is seldom seen. The 

 flight feathers are among the last to be molted. Since the bird loses 



