232 Trans. Acad. Sci. of St. Louis. 



Malards are likely to drop into any small body of water dur- 

 ing their migratory flights and are sure to be seen in Swope 

 Park. 



ANAS RUBRIPES RUBRIPES Brewster. Red-legged Black Duck. 

 Not uncommon but irregular migrant. 



The well-known controversy relative to the validity of this 

 form is an interesting incident in the history of systematic orni- 

 thology. It is included in this list in the firm belief that it is 

 a perfectly good and valid subspecies and that it will one day 

 be returned to the American Ornithologists' Check List. 



Black Ducks with intensely red legs and feet are not uncom- 

 monly taken on the Missouri River and at the several duck- 

 shooting resorts in this neighborhood. In some years only an 

 occasional specimen is seen. A hunter's string was examined 

 on October 27, 1917, that contained two specimens of this diuck 

 taken in Jackson County. 



William. Andrews, who lives on the Missouri River and who 

 has spent a great many years hunting and fishing there, recog- 

 nizes the two forms of the Black Duck, and states that he has 

 killed hundreds of the Red-legged subspecies in his time. He 

 states further that they are much less common than formerly 

 and are somewhat irregular in their occurrence. 



ANAS RUBRIPES TRISTIS Brewster. Black Duck. 

 Rare migrant. 



This duck was formerly a common migrant and often pres- 

 ent in winter. The older sportsmen recall the days when the 

 " Black Mallard" was taken regularly. 



It has been noted but a few times during the past 15 years 

 and is now considered a rarity. Two specimens were taken on 

 the Missouri River, Oct. 30, 1903, and Nov. 15, 1909, respec- 

 tively. 



CHAULELASMUS STREPERUS (Linn.). Gadwall. 

 Fairly common migrant. 



The Gadwall is regularly met with on the Missouri River 

 during March and April and in late October and November. 

 A few single birds or small flocks are occasionally seen as early 

 as the middle of February. A flock of over two hundred birds 

 was seen on April 13, 1917, indicating that this species may be 

 on the increase. 



