274 FEATHERED GAME 



THE MALLARD. 



(Anas boschas.) 



From the records of our older gunners the 

 number of Mallards now visiting our section 

 shows a material decrease in the last few years. 

 Even up to fifteen years ago they were not un- 

 common, but now this world-wide favorite with 

 the wildfowler is seldom seen here (Maine) ex- 

 cept in the favored waters of Merrymeeting 

 Bay, which place, as regards the number and 

 variety of wildfowl found, is probably the best 

 duck-shooting point anywhere along the north- 

 east coast of the United States. In Casco Bay 

 we may take fifty Mallards in a season, though 

 I think this is a very liberal estimate. 

 Throughout the central portion of the continent 

 this is the most numerous species of wildfowl. 

 But with all this scarcity of Mallards in our 

 waters there is still a crumb of comfort for us 

 in the thought that we have the black duck, a 

 near relation, and as a game bird fully the equal 

 of, and in some respects superior to, Mr. Mal- 

 lard himself. Were it not for the black duck 

 the New England wildfowler who is not con- 



