Duck-shooting 85 



difference between the two forms has been 

 shown recently by Mr. William Brewster. 



FLORIDA DUCK 



(Anas ftilvigiila) 



Similar to Anas obscura, but slightly smaller ; the difference being 

 its lighter color, the chin, throat, front of neck, and most of 

 cheeks being a creamy buff and unspotted ; speculum, green, 

 sometimes upper part white ; the buffy ochraceous margins are 

 wider and brighter both above and below. A constant point 

 of distinction is in the bill, the base of which in this species is 

 margined by a narrow black line, which widens out into a tri- 

 angular space beneath the feathering of the lores. 



Measure»tenfs — Length, 20 inches; wing, 10 to 10.50 inches; tail, 

 5 inches; culmen, 2.05 to 2.33 inches; width of bill, .90 inch ; 

 tarsus, 1.70 to 1.80 inches; middle toe, 1.90 to 2 inches. 



Eggs — Eight to fourteen in number; pale dull buff, sometimes 

 tinged with green; measure 2.15 by 1.60 inches. 



Habitat — Resident in Florida, chiefly in the southern part of the 

 state, and becoming rare. Possibly occurs in West Indies ; re- 

 corded also from Louisiana, and said to breed on the coast. 



The Florida black duck for a long time has 

 been recognized as a distinct species. Its breed- 

 ing range is confined entirely to the South. 

 Instances of the black duck breeding south of 

 the Carolinas are probably this variety. The 

 nesting time in Florida is early in April (accord- 

 ing to Mr. N. B. Moore). The bird nests not 

 frequently at some distance from the water's edge, 

 always on the ground. The female plucks the 

 down from her breast for the nest lining. Eight 

 to ten eggs are laid of a slightly lighter shade 



