86 The IVafer-fowl Family 



than the eggs of the common black duck. In its 

 habit the bird closely resembles A 7ms obscura. 

 The flesh is excellent. 



Mr. N. B. Moore, in " Baird, Brewer, and Ridge- 

 way," gives an interesting description of this bird : 

 " In August and September small flocks leave the 

 fresh ponds and fly across the bay to sand-bars on 

 the inner sides of the keys, where they spend the 

 night in pools or coves, returning at sunrise. 

 Those shot at this time are all males. In the 

 late winter and early spring mated birds resort to 

 the same places." Mr. Moore suggests as a 

 reason for this species not being more common 

 in the districts it frequents, the sweeping fires 

 which destroy the dry grass. 



MOTTLED DUCK 



{Atlas fiihngitla maciilosd) 



This subspecies resembles closely the Florida variety, diflfering from it 

 in that the cheeks are streaked with brown, instead of being plain 

 buff; the speculum is purple; in general effect the plumage is 

 mottled and not streaked ; bill has a small black spot on base 

 of lower edge of upper mandible, as in the Florida variety ; feet, 

 reddish orange. 



Measurements — Length, 20 inches ; wing, 10 inches; culmen, 2.25 

 inches; tarsus, 1.75 inches; middle toe, 1.50 inches. 



Eggs — Seven to ten in number ; resemble those of the Florida duck 

 in color and measurement. 



Habitat — Breeds from Louisiana, Texas, and probably northern 

 Mexico, north to Kansas, and has been taken in Colorado. 

 Winters on the Gulf Coast of Louisiana, Texas, and northern 

 Mexico. 



