GAD WALL 



179 



in search of nuts and acorns. An examination of the stomach contents of 

 362 of these ducks collected from September to March, from 19 States 



and Canada, gave the follow- 

 ing approximate percentages: 

 pondweeds, 42; sedges, 20; 

 algae, 10; coontail, 8; grasses, 

 8; arrowheads, 3; cultivated 

 grains and miscellaneous 

 plant food, 7; total vegetable 

 food, 98 per cent. Water 

 bugs, water beetles, flies, and 

 various insects and larvae, 

 2 per cent, constitute the 

 animal food consumed. This 

 percentage is increased dur- 

 ing the summer to about 11 

 per cent, judging from an 

 analysis of 13 stomachs collec- 

 ted during summer months. 

 It would be thought that 

 with a diet so largely vegeta- 

 ble this duck would be espe- 

 cially desirable as a table 

 bird and there would be no 

 difference of opinion on the 

 matter. In the judgment of 

 some, it is considered the 

 equal of the Mallard, others, however, state that it is hardly fit for 

 food. It is probable, therefore, that the quality of the flesh is greatly 

 influenced by the type of food being indulged in at the particular time. 



