67 



Field Marks. Under the most favourable conditions of view the bill will separate 

 the Anatince from the Mergansers. The greater length of neck and more slender bodies 

 are slight and rather uncertain guides to separate them from the Sea or Bay Ducks. The 

 members of the subfamily are more easily recognized in life by species than as a class. 



Nesting. On the ground, with the exception of the Wood Duck. 



Distribution. As a class the Pond and River Ducks are more abundant in the interior 

 than on either coast. 



As the names imply, the River and Pond Ducks frequent our smaller 

 inland waters more than they do the larger ones. They feed from the 

 surface by "tipping" and reaching under the water. The food is gathered 

 in the bill and the water squeezed out, the laminae of the bills retaining 

 the solid matter. 



Economic Status. Being strictly water-birds and vegetable and 

 insect feeders, their food habits are not a menace. It has lately been 

 shown that Ducks feed largely upon mosquito larvae and that they may do 

 surprising good in this direction. By actual experiment a pair of Ducks 

 in a small pond did more to reduce these pests in it than a considerable 

 school of goldfish. As game, they are of great importance, see p. 12. 



Genus Anas. Mallards. 



132. Mallard. GREEN-HEAD. GREY DUCK. FR. LE CANARD ORDINAIRE. LE CANARD 

 DE FRANCE. Anas platyrhynchos . L, 23. Plate III B. 



Distinctions. The male cannot be mistaken for any other wild Duck though many 

 domestic strains approach it closely. The female is often regarded as belonging to another 

 species and is sometimes called Grey Duck. There are several other Ducks approaching 

 her in coloration but the purple speculum with the white bar both before and behind the 

 speculum are good distinguishing marks. 



Field Marks. Green head and white neck ring are conspicuous recognition marks for 

 the male. The speculum with its white bars will identify the female in life. Her tail shows 

 a general whiteness in flight that is quite characteristic. 



Nesting. On the ground usually; it high grass or reeds not far from water, though 

 occasionally at a considerable distance inland. 



Distribution. Distributed over practically the whole of Canada but less common in 

 the extreme east. Breeds throughout Canada except where disturbed by settlement. 



This is the "Wild Duck" par excellence, and is known as such to the 

 sportsman of the Old World as well as the New. It is the original stock 

 from which our domestic varieties sprang and nearly any mixed farmyard 

 flock will show the green-black heads, white collar, or recurved upper- 

 tail-coverts denoting reversion to the original form. As well as being one 

 of the best table-birds it is one of the wildest of Ducks; on that account it 

 still breeds in limited numbers on the edges of civilization. 



133. Black Duck. DUSKY DUCK. BLACK MALLARD. FR. LE CANARD NOIR. Anas 

 rubripes. L, 22. Plate IV A. 



Distinctions. The general dark coloration combined with size renders this species 

 unmistakable among River Ducks. 



Field Marks. Size, dark coloration, and a silvery sheen to the lining of the under- 

 wings that shows in flight. The absence of the white bar bounding the speculum behind 

 will separate it from the Mallard. 



Nesting. On the ground, in grass near water. 



Distribution. The Black Duck is a more eastern species than the Mallard and is not 

 commonly found west of the Great Lakes. It breeds in eastern Canada wherever found. 



