Duck-sbooting 83 



the water's edge ; and where reeds and long grass 

 afford shelter, it is almost impossible to retrieve 

 except by a well-trained dog. In some instances 

 black duck, like mallard, are baited by corn placed 

 on the feeding-ground. If exposed to tide or 

 current, the grain should be well soaked first. No 

 food is too good for black duck, and on the tender 

 grasses abounding on the feeding-grounds of the 

 South the flavor of their flesh is unsurpassed. 

 Along the coast, in the deeper bays, small shell- 

 fish and Crustacea comprise part of their diet, 

 and should winter weather keep them from the 

 marshes their flesh becomes almost fishy. While 

 many black duck winter along the New England 

 coast where they find open water, there is a regu- 

 lar spring and fall migration of these birds winter- 

 ing farther south. Late in March we find them 

 in pairs. Now they seek the smaller ponds and 

 streams, going on to the fresh-water meadows. 

 Birds I have shot at this time have often had 

 angleworms in their stomachs. 



The habits of the black duck and the mallard 

 are similar, and in localities where the two are 

 found they associate. The flight is characteristic, 

 high and strong but irregular, and not in any line. 

 When near by the white under wing-coverts are 

 noticeable. Black duck can be reared in confine- 

 ment, but for decoy purposes these birds are not 

 as satisfactory as domesticated mallards. 



