THE MALLARD. 487 
Though it never dives in search of food, yet, when wing- 
broken, the Brant will go one hundred yards at a stretch 
under water, and is considered, in such circumstances, one 
of the most difficult birds to kill. About the 15th or 20th 
of May, they re-appear on their way north, but seldom stop 
long, unless driven in by tempestuous weather.” 
This bird nests in the most northern portions of the con- 
tinent. The nest is similar to that of the Canada Goose. 
The eggs are from five to eight in number: they are ovate 
in form, sometimes nearly oval; and of a yellowish-white 
color, sometimes darkened into a creamy-buff. Their di- 
mensions vary from 2.90 by 1.92 to 2.78 by 1.84 inch. 
They are very smooth to the touch, and the shell is thin 
and brittle. 
Sub-Family Anatinm=.— The River Ducks. 
The Anatine, or River Ducks, are easily known by their having the tarsi trans- 
versely scutellate anteriorly, and the membrane or lobe of the hind toe narrow and 
much restricted. The legs are longer than in Fuliguline, but shorter than in the 
geese. 
All the North-American River Ducks agree in having the crissum black. In all, 
excepting Querquedula, there is a tendency to waved lines on the feathers of the 
flanks, most conspicuous in the Mallard, Gadwall, and Green-winged Teal. 
ANAS, Linnzus. 
Anas, Linn avs, Syst. Nat. (1785). (Type Anas boschas, L., Gray.) 
Bill longer than the head or the foot, broad, depressed; the edges parallel to near 
the end, which is somewhat acute; nail less than one-third the width of the bill; 
nostrils reaching to end of the basal two-fifths of the commissure; feathers of fare- 
head, chin, and cheeks, reaching about the same point; upper angle of bill about in 
line with the lower; tail pointed, about two-fifths the wing. 
ANAS BOSCHAS. — Linneus. 
The Mallard; Green-head. 
Anas boschas, Linneus. Syst. Nat., I. (1766) 205. Wils. Am. Orn., VIIL 
(1814) 112. Aud. Orn. Biog., III. (1885) 164. Jb., Birds Am., VI. (1843) 236. 
