MALLARD. 



Anas hoschas Linn. 



In autumn, winter and spring the colors of the mal- 

 lard are those of the common domestic duck, which is 

 its descendant. The head and neck are brilliant metal- 

 lic green, sometimes showing golden and purple reflec- 

 tions, according to the light's reflection. About the 

 neck, below this green, is a narrow ring of white, usu- 

 ally broken at the back. The back is brown, or brown- 

 ish-gray, finely waved with grayish-white, as are the 

 inner scapular feathers, which darken to rich brown on 

 the wing. The speculum, or wing patch, is violet, 

 with metallic reflections, crossed near the end with a 

 black bar, and tipped with a white one. The rump and 



87 



