BIRDS OF KANSAS. ' 55 



of the occiput; beneath the latter, almost directly over the ear, an isolated spot 

 of the same." 



Stretch of 

 Length. wing. Wing. Tail. Tarsus. Bill. 



Male ..... 23.75 38.25 11.40 4.25 1.70 2.20 

 Female... 21.50 36.00 10.60 3.75 1.60 2.10 



The birds are widely distributed over the continent, breeding 

 from the southern United States to Greenland, but chiefly north- 

 ward. They are strictly fresh water birds, and abundant inland, 

 preferring for their homes the grassy ponds and marshes, sel- 

 dom frequenting the open waters of the larger lakes. In a wild 

 state, occasionally cross with other species, but as a rule are 

 monogamous, pairing each season. They are easily tamed, and 

 in a domestic state become polygamous. In flight, they are 

 swift and strong. Their food consists of snails, frogs, tadpoles, 

 insects, aquatic plants, seeds, and grains of all kinds; they are 

 also very fond of acorns, and upon our prairies during the fall 

 and winter feed largely upon corn, entering the corn fields at 

 eve and leaving at daylight. 



Their nests are placed on the ground in the grass, at or near 

 the edge of ponds or sloughs, constructed of grass, weeds and 

 leaves loosely scraped or placed together, and lined with feath- 

 ers and down. Eggs six to ten, 2.30x1.60; dull greenish 

 white, or pale buffy green; in form, oval or ovate. 



Anas obscura 



BLACK DUCK. 

 PLATE IV. 



Entered in first catalogue as "Migratory; rare;" but the 

 supposed specimens captured in the State, that I have seen, 

 prove to be the Mottled Duck. Other writers have reported 

 them in Texas, and as far west as Utah. I therefore have re- 

 tained the birds in the Revised Catalogue. Farther examination 

 tends to convince me that the writers were mistaken in the 

 birds, and that they do not come this far west. I have called 

 the attention of ornithologists to the matter, in The Auk, Vol. 

 5, p. 444-, and, until we have more light, will let the bird stand 

 as first entered/ 



B. 577. It. 602. C. 708. G. 283. 24. U. 133. 



