ANSERES. oT 
of all is considered a great delicacy. The birds do not feed 
entirely in the water, but may often be found on the land, 
especially during the summer months. 
27. (132.) ANaAs BoscHAS Linn. 247. 
Mallard. 
Synonyms: Anas domestica. 
Kirtland, Preliminary Report, Ohio Geol. Surv., 1838, 67. 
The Mallard is locally common during the migrations, 
but it is almost absent from many localities. It breeds irreg- 
ularly from the southern border of the state at least to Co- 
lumbus, and seems rather more common as a summer resi- 
dent in the northern half, but is very local in its summer dis- 
tribution anywhere in the state. It is seldom that anything 
but small flocks are seen in the migrations. At the lakes 
and marshes they may be found in greater numbers to- 
gether. It is probably true that males of this species may be 
found during the summer much farther south and in many 
localities in the state where there are no breeding females. 
The males are wanderers and apparently have no care for 
the brood. 
The migrations of the Mallard begin during the first 
week in March, at Oberlin, and continue well toward the 
close of the month. Individuals that were clearly migrating 
have been seen as late as the middle of April: The south- 
ward migrations are at their height about the middle of 
November, but vary with the weather. 
28. (133.) ANAS OBSCURA Gmel. 248. 
Black Duck. 
Synonym: Dusky Duck. 
Kirtland, Preliminary Report, Ohio Geol. Surv., 1838, 67. 
The recent division of this species into two forms makes it 
doubtful what the status of the two forms for Ohio is. An 
examination of skins in two collections indicates that this 
form is the less common in Ohio. 
Dr. Wheaton regarded the Black Duck as a casual sum- 
