70 



NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS EGGS. 



132. Mallard. Anas boschas. 



Range. Northern Hemisphere, breeding in America from northern United 



States northward, and wintering 

 south to Panama and the West 

 Indies. 



Contrasting with the preceding 

 Fish Ducks, the Mallards are re- 

 garded as one of Ihe most esteemed 

 table birds. They feed on mol- 

 lusks and marine insects which they 

 generally reach by tipping in shal- 

 low water. They nest in many 

 localities in the United States but 

 more abundantly north of our 

 borders. They nest in fields in 

 close proximity to ponds .or lakes, 

 placing their nests of grasses and 

 feathers in the tall grass. In May 

 and June they lay from six to ten 

 Size 2.25 x 1.25. Data. San Diego, 

 placed on the 



[Pale olive buff 



eggs of a buffy or olive green color. 



California, May 19, 1897. Nest made of grass, lined with down, 



edge of a field near a pond. 



133. Black Duck. Anas obscura. 



Range. Eastern North America, breeding from the middle portions north 

 the Hudson Bay territory and Labrador. 



Throughout their breeding 

 region, one or more pairs of these 

 ducks nest in nearly every favor- 

 able locality, Their nests are 

 placed on the ground in marshes, 

 swamps or fields bordering a 

 pond or lake, the nest being con- 

 cealed in the long grass or 

 reeds. They breed in equal 

 abundance, either in the interior 

 or along the sea coast; in the 

 latter case their nests are often 

 placed beside of, or under an 

 overhanging rock. It is made of 

 weeds, grass and moss and is 

 lined with feathers and down. 

 They lay from six to twelve eggs 

 during May and June; these are 



to 



[Pale greenish buff.] 

 Size 2.30 x 1.70. Data. Duck Is., Maine, 



buff or greenish buff in color. 



June 3, 1893. Nest of grasses, concealed in a large tuft on water's edge. 



Collector, C. K. Reed. 



I33a. Red-legged Black Duck. Anas obscura rubripes. 



This new sub-species has but recently been separated from the preceding. 

 Their range is more northerly than the common Black Duck. The birds are 

 larger and are especially distinguished by the red legs whereas the common 

 species has legs of a greenish brown color. 



The habits, nesting habits and eggs will not vary from those of the common 

 species. The plumage of the male bird, like that of the preceding, does not 

 differ from that of the female, both being similar but darker than the female 

 Mallard. 



