I04 WATER FOWL. 



green reflections, and the lower portion of neck in front 

 often white. Sometimes there is some white on the 

 throat and head. Breast, very dark chestnut, under parts 

 white, except the crissum, which is chestnut black. Back, 

 brownish black variegated with grayish brown; rump 

 and upper tail coverts, black with green reflection, like 

 the head. These birds were regarded always with much 

 interest, and opinions differed as to what they could be, 

 but it is now generally considered that they are hybrids 

 of the Mallard and Muscovy,* which, although bred in 

 captivity, have returned to the wild state. The descrip- 

 tion given above only relates to one style or phase of the 

 plumage exhibited by these birds, as individuals vary 

 considerably from each other. 



ANAS BOSCH AS. 



Geographical Distribtction. — Northern portions of both Hem- 

 ispheres. In North America, ranging from the Arctic Regions 

 to Panama and to Cuba. Breeding wherever it may be at the 

 proper season. 



Adult Male. — Head and neck, metallic green. White collar 

 at base of neck. Back, brown, waved with narrow lines of pale 

 brown. Scapulars, grayish white, waved with dusky. Wing, 

 slate brown, edged with rufous on some feathers. Speculum, or 

 wing patch, metallic purple, crossed at each end with a black 

 bar, succeeded by a white one. Primaries, dark brown, with a 

 grayish gloss. Lower back, and upper tail coverts, greenish 

 black. Recurved feathers above tail, black. Breast, deep, 

 glossy chestnut. Under parts, silvery gray, waved with narrow 



* The Muscovy {Cairina moschata) is found throughout tropi- 

 cal America, and very possibly may visit at times the coasts of 

 some of our Southern States, straggling outside its limits, and 

 should it meet with the Mallard at the proper season, a mixed 

 brood would very probably result. Therefore, some of these 

 large ducks that are killed from time to time may not have been 

 the offspring of domesticated parents. 



