DUCKS 253 



Mallard. Anas platyrhynchos Linnaeus 



Field characters. — A duck of large size and general similarity to domesticated 

 varieties; bright iridescent steel-blue patch on wing, bordered in front and behind 

 with white; under surface of wing, as shown in flight, white. Male: Head and neck 

 green; ring at base of neck, white; tail whitish with black center and with up-curled 

 feathers near end ; back and belly grayish white. Female : Whole plumage streaked 

 with light and dark yellowish brown. Voice: Of female, a loud oft-repeated quack; of 

 male, similar but softer, more wheezy. 



Occurrence.- — Casual visitant on lakes and smoother flowing waters on both sides of 

 the mountains; noted on Merced Eiver in Yosemite Valley, in Little Yosemite Valley, 

 and on Grant and Mono lakes. 



In the Yosemite region ducks are to be found in large numbers only 

 on Mono Lake, and there chiefly during the seasons of migration. The 

 Mallard, the best known of all our wild ducks because of its esculent 

 qualities, is the species most frequently seen elsewhere in the region. 



The Mallard is a typical river duck and a surface feeder. It seeks its 

 forage in shallow ponds, and 'tips up' to reach down for the coveted 

 morsels instead of diving for them in deeper water as does the Harlequin 

 Duck. 



The Mallard probably nests on the marshy lands bordering some of 

 the smoother flowing waters at low elevations on the west slope of the 

 mountains, and about the sage-bordered lakes at the east base of the 

 Sierras. 



Baldpate. Mareca americana (Gmelin) 



Field characters. — Size medium for a duck; feathers at junction of wing and body 

 below (axillars) white. Male: top of head white (whence the name "baldpate"), 

 green patch behind eye; wing with patch of white followed by one of green; patch 

 on flank white; under tail coverts black; back and sides pale brown; under surface 

 chiefly white. Female: Upper surface barred grayish and yellowish brown; a black 

 patch on wing. 



Occurrence. — Transient. Several seen on Mono Lake, September 20, 1915. 



The Baldpate or American Widgeon occurs with probable regularity, 

 during both of the migration seasons, on the lakes at the eastern base of 

 the Sierras. It is apt also to be found on the slower streams of the lower 

 west slope. 



Cinnamon Teal. Querquedula cyanoptera (Vieillot) 



Field characters. — Small for a duck; wing with a large blue patch on forward part. 

 Male (except in mid-summer, when like female) : Entire head and whole under surface 

 rich chestnut brown ; upper surface streaked with light and dark brown. Female : Upper 

 surface dark brown with lighter feather edgings; breast and under surface mottled on 

 a light brown ground. 



Occurrence. — Summer visitant along both bases of the Sierras. Noted at Mono Lake, 

 September 20, 1915, and May 30 and June 3, 1916. 



