2 BULLETIN *720, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



our most valuable game ducks and includes the most important single 

 species — the common mallard (Anas -platyrhyncha) . The others are 

 the dusky or black duck {Anas rubripes) and the southern black duck 

 (Anas julvig u la) . 



These river ducks rarely dive so as to disappear entirely beneath 

 the water, but obtain their food in shallows by dipping the head and 

 neck or by submerging aU of the body but the tipped-up tail. Vigor- 

 ous paddling with the feet is needed to maintain the latter position 

 in the water. The food usually is obtained within 12 to 16 inches of 

 the surface^ and as a result river ducks obtain fewer of the under- 

 ground organs of aquatic plants than the diving ducks. These root 

 systems of the plants include the rootstocks, stolons, tubers, and 

 winter buds, which are stocked richly with nutriment. However, 

 the river ducks wax fat by their own way of living, and although they 

 are distinctty successful foragers, expediency seems to be their rule, 

 as they are more nearly omnivorous than any other ducks. 



MALLARD. 



(Anas platyrhyncha.) 



The mallard (see frontisj)iece) probably is the most abundant wUd 

 duck in the world, and its range covers the entire northern portion 

 of the earth. Wherever it occurs it is popular and is usually the 

 favorite waterfowl. Various races have claimed it for their own, and 

 in consequence it has received such names as English duck and canard 

 franpais (French duck) . Other common names are wild duck, green- 

 head^ gray mallard, and stock duck. The last name refers to the 

 fact that the mallard is the source of most of the breeds of domesti- 

 cated ducks. That it is possible under controlled conditions to pro- 

 duce mallards typically wild both in appearance and behavior has 

 been taken advantage of on duck farms, where birds are reared both 

 for market and sport. 



The ease with which the mallard can be bred makes it the best 

 species for wild-duck farming. This is an industry which should be 

 developed as extensively as possible, in order to supplement the de- 

 creasijig natural supply of game. The mallard is Jiot only susceptible 

 of great increase by game farming, but also may very easily be assisted 

 to increase in the wild state. Its breeding range is so extensive that, 

 at least in the northern half of the United States, where local con- 

 ditions are suitable, strict protection throughout the spring almost 

 certainly will induce it to nest. 



Its beauty and popularity, hardiness, adaptability, and fecundity fit 

 the maUard as no other duck is fitted to be the game duck of the 

 future. Upon it should be centered a large share of the interest in 

 duck farming and wild-fowl protection. Whatever is learned about 



