52 BIRDS OF SOUTH DAKOTA 



Mallards are not particular about their food, but are at 

 home in shallow ponds or sloughs of the prairie. In the fall they 

 often gather in large flocks and feed in stubble and cornfields. 

 They are inclined to nest farther from water than most species, 

 and have even been found nesting "out" on the prairie. They 

 have been known to build their nests on the tops of old hay- 

 stacks. 



Because the nesting grounds of all our Ducks are being 

 curtailed each year by the breaking up of prairie and the draining 

 of sloughs, their nesting area is being shifted northward, and 

 in the future we shall perhaps know the Mallard only as a mi- 

 grant. 



133. BLACK DUCK (Anas rubripes.) 



Usually called "Black Mallard." They are not abundant 

 in the State and occur only as migrants, usually late in the sea- 

 son. About the size of Mallards. Plumage of both sexes very 

 similar, uniformly brown and black, with purple wing patch 

 tipped with black. Legs are not so reddish as the Mallards. 



135. GADWALL (Chaulelasrnus streperus.) 



Neck and head gray, top mixed with buff; breast, sides 

 and back barred with gray and white ; wings marked with brown, 

 black and white. The wingpatch of the female is ashy gray. 



The Gadwall is smaller than the Mallard and nests quite 

 regularly in the State. 



137. BALDPATE (Mareca americana.) 



By many this Duck is erroneously called "Widgeon." It 

 is doubtful if a specimen of the true Widgeon has ever been taken 

 in South Dakota, as it is a coast Duck, seldom migrating into 

 the interior. The Baldpate is not so large as the Mallard. It 

 breeds in the State, and some seasons is quite abundant. Males 

 white, or nearly so, on top of head; balance of head and neck 

 gray, except patch of green back of eyes ; breast and shoulders 

 buffy; back barred with black and white; wing patch white. 

 Females: head gray; breast and back mottled with buff and 

 black; wing patch black and white; bill smaller than in other 

 Ducks of this State. 



