690 SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS. — LAMELLIROSTRES — ANSERES. 
ducks, the toes and their webs not being ighly developed. None of the Anatine are 
extensively maritime, like most of the Fuliguline ; yet they are by no means confined to 
fresh waters, and some species constantly associate with the seaducks. They feed exten- 
sively, like most geese, upon succulent aquatic herbage, but also upon various animal 
substances ; their flesh is almost without exception excellent. They do not dive for their 
food. The moult is double; the sexes are almost invariably markedly distinct in color ; 
the young resemble the 
? ; the wing has usu- 
ally a brilliant speculum, 
which, like the other 
wing-markings, is the 
same in both sexes. Un- 
like geese, these and oth- 
er ducks are not doubly- 
monogamous, but simply 
so if not polygamous ; 
the male pays no atten- 
tion to the young. Ex- 
cluding the shieldrake 
group, already mentioned 
as pertaining rather to 
the geese than the ducks, 
there are about fifty spe- 
: cies, generally distrib- 
Fic. 478.— Mallards. (From Lewis.) uted over the world. 
They are split into a large number of modern genera, most of which indicate little more than 
specific characters; the majority are represented in this country. Of those here following, 
two, Spatula and Aix, represent decided structural peculiarity; the rest might all be referred 
to Anas, type of the group. The Malacorhynchus membranaceus, of Australia, is a notable 
exotic form. 
Analysis of Genera. 
Head crested ; bill narrow, the tip formed widely by thenail . ........... =. ~. - Ate 9990 
Head not crested; bill greatly wider atend than at base. . ..... ++... -. =.» « Spatula 289 
Head not crested ; bill not spoon-shaped. 
Tail cuneate, with narrow central feathers more than halfaslong as wing. . ... . . g@ Dafila 285 
Tail not cuneate, not half as long as wing 
Bill shorter than head ; tail-feathers lance-acute; head not white; belly white yg.and 9 Dajila 285 
Bill shorter than head ; tail-feathers not acute; crown and belly white . . . . . . .Mareca 287 
Bill about as long as head, or longer. 
Wing-speculum white; wing-coverts chestnut; bill dark; feet orange . . . Chaulelasnus 286 
Wing-speculum violet, black-bordered; bill greenish, or dusky and orange; feet orange Anas 284 
Wing-speculum green; lesser coverts blue or not; billdark. Very small . . Qwerquedula 288 
Oss. — The old males of all our species are unmistakable, having strong marks of color, 
size, and form; but the females and young may not always be recognized at a glance. In 
examining any ‘‘duck” of which you are in doubt, first notice the bill; if it is narrow and 
eylindrical, with sharp saw-like teeth, very conspicuous, the bird is one of the Mergansers, 
or ‘‘ Fishing Ducks,” scarcely fit for food. Next, examine the hind toe; if it has a flap or 
lobe hanging free, the bird is one of the Fuliguline, which may or nay not be good for the 
table; if the hind toe is simple and slender, it is one of the Anatineg, and sure to make a 
good dish, if in order. All the red- or orange-footed species are Anatine (excepting the 
Mergansers) ; but not all the Anatine have the feet thns colored. In determining female 
and young Anatine, look to the wing-markings rather than the body-colors. The species 
_ of Querquedula are very small *‘ teal” ducks, 16 inches or less in length. 
