386 Bigelow, Hybrids between Mallard and other Ducks. [^ k 



The tertials are broad arrow-shaped, grayish brown becoming 

 darker at the margin, as in the Mallard. The first two tertials in 

 each wing have the outer half black, thus suggesting the black 

 stripes on the tertials of the Pintail. The speculum is bright 

 metallic green, of a tint quite unlike this region in either parent. 

 Its anterior border is of two colors, the inner half black, as in the 

 Mallard, the outer half chocolate as in the Pintail. The posterior 

 border of the speculum is black; and there is a white frame as in 

 the Mallard parent. 



The feet and legs are flesh colored, and agree in size, as well as in 

 color, with the Mallard. 



Pure Mallard characters in this very interesting hybrid are: (1) 

 green of the postocular region; (2) chestnut breast band; (3) 

 dark rump; (4) white frame around the speculum; (5) curliness 

 of upper tail coverts; (6) size and color of feet and legs. Pure 

 Pintail characters are: (1) color of the bill; (2) bronze on the head; 

 (3) white neck stripes; (4) white lower breast; (5) presence of a 

 "pin" in the tail, although it is not homologous with pin of D. 

 acuta; (6) black scapular patch; (7) number of tail feathers ; (8) 

 long neck; (9) chestnut portion of anterior border of scapulars. 



Characters appearing in neither parent, but new in the hybrid 

 are: (1) rufous markings of upper tail coverts; (2) green color of 

 speculum. • 



4. Mallard (Anas boschas) X Baldpate (Mareca americana). 



Museum of Comparative Zoology, No. 42856, 6\ Long Point, 

 Ontario; Nov. 1898. Shot by Mr. Louis Cabot. 



The bill is of a dark grayish blue, the nail black, as in the Bald- 

 pate. It also resembles this parent in dimensions, measuring along 

 the culmen 1.8 in.; in depth at the base .75 in., and greatest width 

 .72. This is nearly \ less than in the case of the adult male Mallard. 

 In outline, also, the bill resembles that of the Baldpate, for it has 

 its greatest breadth about midway of its length. In the Mallard, 

 on the other hand, the greatest breadth is at the base; the bill 

 narrows in the middle, and broadens again somewhat near the tip. 

 The number of strainers forms another Baldpate character, there 

 being in the mandible of the hybrid 38 on a side, in Baldpates 36 

 to 38, and in Mallards 49 or 50. 



The crown from the bill to the occipital region and as far down 



