ANAS ANGUSTIROSTRIS. 199 
276. Anas boschas, Linn. The Wild Duck. 
Moorish. Zerak el ras (Blue head). Spanish. Pato real. 
"The Wild Duck frequents the vicinity of Tangier 
throughout the year. Those which are not resident cross to 
Europe during March and Aprils returning in November and 
December. Those which remain to nest begin to lay during 
the month of February ; and eggs may be occasionally found 
as late as the beginning of June. Tame Ducks are called 
Bourk by the Arabs .^' — Favier. 
In Andalucia the present species is abundant in winter ; 
and a considerable number remain for the breeding-season, 
hatching by about the 25th of April ; but they are so molested 
by egging that it is a wonder that any young are brought up ; 
and in addition to this, they are shot at all seasons. 
The Moorish local name given above is not appropriate, 
the head of the Mallard being green. 
In this species the alar speculum is metallic blue. 
277. Anas angustirostris, Menetr. The Marbled Duck. 
Moorish. Shihib (Favier). Andalucian. Ruhilla. 
This Duck, on both sides of the Straits, appears in spring, 
to remain only for the breeding-season, and is exceedingly 
abundant in Morocco, where, at the lakes of Ras-Dowra in 
April, I saw flocks numbering many hundreds ; and they are 
frequently seen exposed for sale in Tangier market. 
Favier states that they arrive during March and April, 
departing in October, and that after the common Teal they 
rank as the most common Duck in the country. 
On the Spanish side I heard of three being seen at the end of 
February, and saw six or seven myself on the 23rd of March ; 
but the majority do not appear until late in April, though I 
have noticed them on the sea near Gibraltar early in that 
month. As a rule, they all leave by the end of September ; 
but of course stragglers remain later. 
The Marbled Duck breeds during the last week in May, 
nesting in patches of rushes. The nest is like that of a Teal, 
containing a good deal of the down from the breast of the 
female ; and eleven eggs appear to be the usual complement 
