290 FEATHERED GAME 



are about equal though in the few comparisons 

 which the writer has had the opportunity of 

 making the Black Duck has had a shade the 

 better of the weights. The male and female of 

 this species are marked alike, and the male 

 bird may usually be distinguished by the fine 

 line of white on the outer edge of the speculum, 

 but this rule is not invariable. The general 

 color of these birds is a dull, dusky brown, with 

 a lighter yellowish brown on the edges of the 

 feathers. Head and neck are lighter in tone 

 and of a yellowish buff shade, darker on the top 

 of the head and back of the neck, lighter on the 

 throat and streaked with dark brown lines 

 which are more numerous on the hind neck and 

 crown than on cheeks, chin and throat. The 

 speculum is of deep violet hue, set in a black 

 frame; usually in the male with a fine edging 

 of white showing on the tips of the feathers 

 which make it. Iris brown; bill yellowish 

 green with a black nail ; feet are dull orange 

 with dusky webs and black nails. 



The weight of this species ranges from two 

 and one-half to three and one-half pounds. The 

 length averages from twenty-two to twenty- 

 four inches; in extent the measurements vary 



