THE MALLARD 275 



tent with shooting ''trash ducks" might as well 

 sell his ten-bore for old metal for all the 

 pleasure he would get from it; but the crop of 

 duskies seems to be pretty much the same each 

 year, for which blessing we should be truly 

 thankful. 



After their arrival on the breeding grounds 

 the Mallards choose their mates, the drakes 

 often fighting fierce battles for the possession 

 of the belles of the flock. As each pair agrees 

 to join forces for the season they leave the main 

 body to seek out a suitable nesting place. 

 They usually make their nest upon the ground, 

 but will not refuse to occupy the deserted nest 

 of hawk or crow if in a spot where they have 

 reason to think that the ground floor is unsafe. 

 Their nests are lined with dry grass and down 

 from their own bodies. The complement of 

 eggs varies from eight to ten, dingy yellowish 

 gray in color, and not to be distinguished from 

 those of the domestic bird. The period of in- 

 cubation is about four weeks. 



In the Old World the Mallard is one of the 

 commonest ducks, nesting in the northern por- 

 tions of Europe and Asia, and wintering in 

 southern Asia and northern Africa. With us 



