ANATI1).E— THE SWANS, GEE8E, AND DUCKS. 127 



SURGENl'S ANAS LlNNJJUS. 



Anas Linn. S. N. ed. 10, i. 1758, 122: od. 12, i, 1760. 191. Type, by elimination, A. hos- 

 chns Linn. 



SuBOEN. Chae. Usually rather largo-sized ducks (wing, in North American species, 

 10 inches or more), with the bill a Utile longer than tlie head or foot, rather broad, de- 

 pressed, the edges parallel, the end rounded; speculum metallic green, blue, or violet, 

 in both sexes, usually bordered posteriorly by a blacli band, this generally succeeded 

 by a white one. 



The two species which are known to occur in Illinois are 

 characterized as follows: 



A. Adult male, except in breeding season, very diflferont from the female, the plumage 

 varied and brilliant; secondaries tipped with white, and greater coverts crossed by a 

 subtcrminal bar of the same. 



1. A.boschas. Adult male: Four middle tail-feathers strongly recurved; head and 

 neck brilliant velvety green; chest rich chestnut, with awiiite collar between it 

 and the green of the neck; speculum rich metallic violet, bounded anteriorly by a 

 black bar, this preceded by a white one, and posteriorly by a blaek subtc'rminal 

 and white terminal band. A dull female and mal- in breeding seafon: Wings 

 as in the above; elsewhere variegated with dusky and ochraceous, the former 

 on the centres of the feathers, and predominating on the upper parts, the latter 

 on the borders, and prevaiUng beneath. 



B. Sexes alike, at all ages and seasons; no white on the outer surface of the wing. 



2. A. obscura. Trevailing color dusky, the feathers bordered with dull ochraceous; 

 head and neck dull buff, everywhere streaked with dusky; no black at base of 

 the bill: speculum usually deep violet. 



Anas boschas Linn. 



MALLABS, 



Popular synonyms. Oroen-hoad; Wild Drukc; Wild Duck; English Duck (Florida); 



French Duck (Louisiana); Gray Duek; Gray Mallard. 

 Anas honcha-t LiNN. 8. N. ed. 10. i. 1758, 127; ed. 12. i. 1766, 205.— WlLS. Am. Orn. vlii, 

 ISM, 112, pi.' 70, f. 7.-AUD. Orn. Blog. ill, 18:15.161. pi. 221; Synop. 18J9,- 276; B. 

 Am. vi, 1813, 236, pi, 38S.-BA1RD, B. N. Am. 1858. 774; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 576.— 

 COUEB. Key, isni. 285; Check List. 1873. 488; B. N. W. 1874, 559. -B. B. & U. Water 

 B. N. Am. I, 18»l. 491 — Hbnsh. Zool. Wheeler's Exp. 1875, IT2.— A. O. U. Check 

 List, 1386, No. 1:J2.— RiDGW. Orn. 40th Par. 1877, 621; Man. N. Am. B. 1887. 91. 

 Anas hotcas Whakton, Ibis. 187.1. J.VJ.— liiDOW. Nom. N. Am, B. 1881, No. 601.— OouES, 

 Check List. 2d od. 1882, No. 707. 

 Anasdomesliea Omei.. S. N. i. pt. ii, 1788, 5.^. 



Anan Uiochas) domenlirn Sw. & UiCH. F. B.-A. il. 1831. 442.— NuTT Man. Ii. 1831. 378. 

 A nan f era "Bbibs."— Leach. Cat. Brit. Mus. 1816, 30. 

 Anas adunea LiNN. 8. N. ed. 12, I. 1766, 206.— Gmel. H. N. I, pt, Ii, 1788, 538. 



IlAii. Northern horaisphore; In North America, gonoruliy distributed, migrating 

 south in winter to Panama, Cuba, and Bahamas. 



8p. Chab. Adiill male in/all.winter.and siiring: Head and neck continuous soft bril- 

 liant metallic green, showing purple and golden-bronze reflections in different lights. 

 A ring of pure whit« round the lower part of the nock interrupted behind; chest and 



