BLACK DUCK 
77 
salt-marshes after the first streak of dawn; but now their habits are somewhat modi- 
fied, and when they are not too much harassed in the daytime, some will remain 
on the marsh. 
On fine moonlight nights our wintering New England ducks come in long after 
dark as they have no difficulty in filling their crops, but in cold rough weather 
they start much earlier, even before sunset. The ideal conditions for wintering 
Black Ducks may be seen in our park lakes about Boston, up to the time these 
freeze. Here we see thousands of ducks sitting about on the fresh water all day long 
instead of going to sea, and flighting out to salt-flats and marshes just at dark. 
This would happen everywhere along the coast if ducks were not disturbed. 
Diving, Perching, Swimming. Young birds dive as in all the river ducks; old 
birds almost never, except to escape raptorial birds. I have twice seen single Black 
Ducks dive at the flash of a gun when shot at from a shooting-stand. Of course this is 
very unusual and it may be simply a wrong response to some definite stimulus. Any- 
way it shows that the trick can be done. Occasionally immature ducks may be seen 
splashing about in play in the early autumn and making short clumsy dives, as 
young Mallards do. Where ducks are artificially fed in shallow water I believe they 
can be taught to dive short distances. I have often baited in water over my knees, yet 
this grain was cleaned up almost immediately by a flock of Black Ducks that had 
been “using” this particular place for several months. In watching this flock 
through a glass it was difficult to see just how these dives were made, because there 
were hundreds of birds tipping, playing and splashing about in one confused mass. 
This duck can dive from the wing, but I have never seen this performance. C. S. 
Allen (1893) saw one flying over a marsh, suddenly double up, apparently falling 
over and over, striking the water as if shot, after which it immediately dived. The 
action was in response to a Red-tailed Hawk flying over, but there was no such 
response to Fish Hawks. 
Wounded birds dive cleverly and make straight for the nearest shore, often run- 
ning back a long distance into the woods, where it is almost impossible to find them 
without a dog. 
Black Ducks do not perch. They may roost on low stumps and rocks, and in very 
rare instances they have been found nesting in trees. The swimming posture is 
identical with that of the Mallard. They sleep either with head sunk down upon the 
breast, or with the bill tucked under the scapulars. On land they sometimes squat, 
but more often they stand either on one or on both feet. 
Special Senses. I find I am in good company among those who see no evidence 
of a sense of smell in Black Ducks. I have spoken of the traditions in regard to this 
matter under the Mallard. C. W. Townsend (1905) and Forbush (1912) do not be- 
