I2 COLD AND WARM WEATHER BIRDS. 
SuBFAMILY Aznatid@—GENUS Anas. 
Anas boschas—MAtiarp (yellow-leg variety ).— 
Habitat—This mallard has never been officially dis- 
tinguished from the red or orange-colored-leg va- 
riety, probably, owing to its range of flight and sim- 
ilarity of plumage. If we examine it closely, prob- 
ably, we may find many peculiar habits which differ 
from the commoner kind; so much so that future in- 
vestigation will determine its status in the Avxnatide 
family. By the hunters of the South, near the frost 
line, it is not infrequently termed “Ice Mallard,’ ow- 
ing to the fact that it is one of the first species of ducks 
to arrive in the spring, following up the melting ice, 
also one of the last to come down from the north 
driven by the severity of the weather with its frost 
and snows. Some stay above the frost line between 
an° and 35°, according to the mildness of winter, but 
is rarely to be found north of 40° even in open winters. 
They like to hang as it were, upon the outskirts of 
winter, where water and food can be obtained. The 
majority frequent the swamps, sloughs, bayous and 
large overflowed river bottoms as far as the Gulf of 
Mexico. 
They have three distinct flights or issues during 
their migrations both north and south, the spring 
flight being more plainly observed. ‘The first arrives 
north of the frost line as soon as the first glimpse of 
water can be seen from melting snow, rain or water 
holes. The second issue arrives about ten days after, 
but not before the first has departed, moreover it 
stays longer. The third issue arrives a few days after 
the second has left, staying but a brief period, the ratio 
