SHOAL-WATER DUCKS. 



A natina. 



OF all the birds which during spring and fall traverse our 

 country, probably none equal the ducks in point of size, 

 numbers and economic value. This group is confined neither to 

 the sea coast, nor to the interior, but is spread out over the whole 

 breadth of the continent, in summer extending its migrations to 

 the furthest north, and in winter only proceeding so far south as it 

 is forced to by the freezing of the waters of its northern home. 

 The great numbers of ducks with which sportsmen are familiar, 

 may be conveniently classed under two distinct divisions or heads, 

 the classification being drawn, in the main, from their habits, but 

 at the same time agreeing with their ornithological arrangement. 

 The first class may be termed Fresh-water, River or Shoal-water 

 ducks, and includes those species which are generally found on 

 rivers, lakes and ponds, and whose food consists mostly of vegeta- 

 ble matter. Here may be placed Anas, Chaulelasjmis, Dafila, 

 Qiterqitedula, Spatula, Mareca and Aix. Among these are in- 

 cluded two Old World birds which are merely accidental and very 

 rare on this side of water. Some of the distinctive traits of the 

 AnaizncB are as follows. None of the family are extensively mari- 

 t.nie as are the FitUgidincE ; they are, howevei, by no means con- 

 fined to the fresh water, being often found associated with the sea 

 ducks in large numbers. They feed along the shores of rivers and 

 creeks, on herbage, seeds and succulent grasses, and do not dive 

 for their food. The females are also almost always found different 

 in color from the males. Of the River ducks the first on our list 

 comes the familiar Wild Drake so well-known throughout the land. 



Anas boschas. — Linn. Mallard. Green Head. 



A bird found throughout the world and everywhere domesti- 

 cated. It is particularly abundant in the United States in its wild 



