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ANATINA: RIVER AND POND DUCKS 
132. Anas boschas 
MALLARD. 23 inches 
Male. Above, whole head and neck iridescent green; narrow 
collar white ; back brown shading to black on lower back ; feathers 
under tail black ; wings gray ; speculum purple bordered by black 
and white. Below, breast chestnut; belly and sides gray, barred 
with fine black lines; bill yellow ; feet reddish. Female and Im= 
mature. Whole plumage brown, mottled with yellowish, much 
lighter below; speculum like male; bill greenish ; feet yellowish. 
The ancestor of our domestic duck. The female and immature 
resemble the Black Duck, but are lighter colored. 
Breeds. North of New England. Rare migrant in March, April 
and September and October. <A few winter off the coast. 
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