28 



IDENTIFICATION OF A SPECIMEN IN HAND 



Turn now to the Colour Plates of the species indicated by the Wing 

 Key for final identification of the species, and compare the spread-wing 

 of the specimen with the illustrations. (If the wing of the specimen finds 

 no exact counterpart on the Plates, refer to Note B above.) 



Example. If the specimen being examined has the hind-toe with lobe, and 

 the bill broad, it will be seen from the "Key to the Subfamily" that it be- 

 longs to the subfamily of Diving Ducks (or is a Ruddy Duck). If it has 

 the bent wing over 7 inches, and has white in the speculum, but no white 

 on the wing-coverts, it will be seen from the Wing Key that it is either a 

 White-winged Scoter, a Greater Scaup or a Lesser Scaup. Consult colour 

 plates of these species for final identification. 



WING KEY 



(Note. The word "coverts," as used in this Wing Key, means "lesser" and 

 "middle coverts" only.) 



RIVER AND POND DUCKS 



(1) Wing small; bent wing less than ty* inches 



(a) Coverts blue 



BLUE-WINGED TEAL (Plates Nos. 13 



and 14) 

 CINNAMON TEAL (Plates Nos. 13 



and 14) 



(b) Coverts not blue 



GREEN- WINGED TEAL (Plates No. 12 



and 14) 

 EUROPEAN TEAL (Plate No. 12) 



FIG. 24. -Wing Key 



(2) Wing large; bent wing more than 8^2 inches 



(a) Speculum with much white 

 GADWALL (Plates Nos. 10 and 11) 



(b) Coverts blue (or partly blue) 

 SHOVELLER (Plates Nos. 15 and 17) 



(The bill is always the most distinctive character) 



(c) Coverts white 



BALDPATE, adult male (Plates Nos. 9 and 11) 

 EUROPEAN WIDGEON, adult male (Plate No. 9) 



(d) Coverts dark brown 

 BLACK DUCK (Plate No. 7) 

 FLORIDA DUCK (Plate No. 8) 

 MOTTLED DUCK (Plate No. 8) 



(e) Coverts brownish grey or grey 

 MALLARD (Plate No. 6) 



NEW MEXICAN DUCK (Plate No. 8) 

 PINTAIL (Plates Nos. 10 and 11) 

 BALDPATE, adult female and juveniles (Plate No. 9) 

 EUROPEAN WIDGEON, adult female and juveniles (Plate No. 9) 

 (/) Coverts (entire wing) with much iridescence 

 WOOD DUCK (Plates Nos. 14 and 15) 



