DUCKS AND GEESE 61 



in the northern United States and northward, wintering in 

 southern United States. A few remain and breed about 

 isolated sloughs in the prairie sections of Illinois and 

 Indiana. The female has the same quack as that of our 

 domestic duck, which has descended from the mallard and 

 readily crosses with it. 



The mallard is distinctly a fresh-water duck, feeding 

 usually by dabbling or dipping in shallow water. In the 

 fall, great flocks of these birds descend upon the grain 

 fields and gorge themselves. They are hardy birds, often 

 remaining in the middle United States until late in Xovem- 

 ber, returning during the first thaw in February. It is 

 abundant, and a great favorite with the sportsmen. 

 1 Ten bluish-white eggs of this duck are in my collection, 

 from Sweetwater Lake, North Dakota. They were taken 

 June 11, 1900, from a nest of down and feathers, in a 

 slight hollow of the earth, amidst a thick growth of under- 

 brush extending out into the lake. 



BLACK DUCK 



The Black Duck, often called black mallard, black Eng- 

 lish duck, and dusky duck, is similar in habits and size to 

 our common green-head mallard; the latter, however, has 

 a much wider range. The black duck is rare west of the 

 ^lissisaippi, occurring usually in the East, from the Atlan- 

 tic Coast through the Xew England States, Quebec, Onta- 

 rio, and along the east coast shores of Lake Michigan. 



They are among our slowest fljnng ducks, traveling 

 about forty-five miles an hour, while teal and canvas-back 



