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BLACK DUCK (Anas rubripes) . This spe- 

 cies is in many respects quite similar to the 

 Mallard, in fact it is often termed "Black 

 Mallard" or "Dusky Duck." The sexes are 

 quite similar in plumage, the female being 

 only a little lighter colored. The female 

 Mallard sometimes bears considerable re- 

 semblance to the Black Duck, but always 

 shows the two white bands bordering the 

 greenish-blue speculum. The present spe- 

 cies, too, has white linings to the wings, 

 which are very conspicuous during flight. 

 Black Ducks are found in eastern North 

 America, nesting in Canada and the North- 

 ern States, where to a large extent they 

 replace Mallards, and wintering south to 

 the Gulf States. 



The nesting and feeding habits of Black 

 Ducks and Mallards are almost identical. 

 They feed chiefly after dark, in marshes or 

 shallow water, where they can easily reach 

 the bottom. Although usually they are very 

 watchful and wary, from time to time they 

 forget caution and the marshes resound with 

 their loud quacking. 



FLORIDA DUCKS (Anas fulvigula) are 

 quite like the Black Duck, but the coloration 

 is a trifle more buffy and the throat has less 

 streaking. The feathers on the flanks and 

 under parts are also somewhat differently pat- 

 terned. They are found only in Florida. 



The MOTTLED DUCK (Anas fulvigula maculosa), which is found in 

 southern Texas, is quite spotted on the under parts. 



GAD WALL (Chaulelasmus streperus). These birds, which measure about 

 21 inches in length, are cosmopolitan in distribution, but in America are no- 

 where as abundant as the following species. They frequent marshes about 

 fresh-water lakes and ponds, breeding chiefly in the interior and western 

 America and being only casually found during migrations on the Atlantic 

 coast north of Chesapeake Bay. Compared to other species, the drake is 

 rather poorly plumaged, the black, white and chestnut on the wings only 

 serving to break the monotony of the general coloring. 



BLACK BUCK 

 GADWALL 



