200 ANAS OBSCURA. 



J;:j. J.VJS OBSCURA, GMKMN AM) WILSON -- DUSKY 

 WILSON, PLATK LXXII. J !<;. V. 



THIS species is generally known alonif the sea coast 

 of New Jersey, and the neighbouring country, by the 

 name of the black duck, being* the most common and 

 most numerous of all those of its tribe, that frequent 

 the salt marshes. It is only partially migratory. 

 Numbers of them remain during the summer, and breed 

 in sequestered places in the marsh, or on the sea islands 

 of the beach. The eggs are eight or ten in number, 

 very nearly resembling those of the domestic duck. 

 Vast numbers, however, regularly migrate further north 

 on the approach of spring. During their residence 

 here in winter they frequent the marshes, and the 

 various creeks and inlets with which those extensive 

 flats are intersected. Their principal food consists of 

 those minute snail shells so abundant in the marshes. 

 They occasionally visit the sandy beach in search of 

 small bivalves, and, on these occasions, sometimes cover 

 whole acres with their numbers. They roost at niirht 

 in the shallow ponds, in the middle of the salt marsh, 

 particularly on islands, where many are caught by the 

 foxes. They are extremely shy during the day ; and 

 on the most distant report of a musket, rise from every 

 quarter of the marsh in prodigious numbers, dispersing 

 in every direction. In calm weather they fly high, 

 beyond the reach of shot ; but when the wind blows 

 hard, and the gunner conceals himself among the salt 

 grass, in a place over which they usually fly, they are 

 shot down in great numbers ; their flight being then 

 low. Geese, brant, and black duck, are the common 

 game of all our gunners along this part of the * 

 during winter; but there are at least ten black duck 

 for one goose or brant, and probably many more. Their 

 voice resembles that of the duck and mallard ; but their 

 flesh is greatly inferior, owing to the nature of their 

 food. They are, however, large, heavy bodied ducks, 

 and generally esteemed, 



