690 



SYSTEMATIC SYNOPSIS — LAMELLIBOSTBES — ANSEBES. 



ducks, the toes and their webs not being so higlily developed. None of the Anatina are 

 extensively maritime, lilce most of the Fuligiilina; ; yet they are by no means confined to 

 fresh waters, and some species constantly associate with the seadueks. They feed exten- 

 sively, like most geese, upon succulent aquatic herbage, but also upon various animal 

 substances ; their flesh is almost without exception excellent. They do not dive for their 

 food. Tiie moult is double; the sexes are almost invariably markedly distinct in color; 

 ^ < — - *'^® young resemble the 



-r7--J7inii .T'Snh^^J^ ^-1=^ ^:1=^^^ ==^ cies, generally distrib- 



FiG 478 —Millar Is (Fnm Lewis) uted over the world. 



They are split into a large number of modern genera, most of which indicate little more than 

 specific characters; the majority are represented in this country. Of those here following, 

 two. Spatula and Aix, represent decided structural peculiarity ; the rest might all be referred 

 to Anas, type of the group. The Malacorhynclms memhranaceus, of Australia, is a notable 



exotic form. 



Analysis of Genera. 



Head crested ; bill narrow, the tip formed widely by the nail Aix 290 



Head not crested; bill greatly wider at end than at base Spatula 289 



Head not crested ; bill not spoon-sbaped. 



Tail cuneate, with narrow central feathers more than half as long as wing (f Dajila 285 



Tail jiot cuneate, not half as long as wing 



Bill shorter than head ; tail-feathers lance-acute ; head not white ; belly white yg. and 9 Dajila 285 



Bill eiliorter than head ; tail-feathers not acute ; crown and belly white Mareca 287 



Bill about as long as head, or longer. 



Wing-speculum white; wing-coverts chestnut; bill dark ; feet orange . . . ChauJelasnus 2S6 

 Wing-speculum violet, black-bordered; bill greenish, or dusky and orange; feet orange -J7!as 284 

 Wing-speculum green ; lesser coverts blue or not ; bill dark. Very small . . Qnerqueduia 288 



Obs. — The old males of all our species are unmistakable, having strong marks of color, 

 size, and form; but the females and young may not always be recognized at a glance. In 

 examining any " duck " of which you are in doubt, first notice theMZ; if it is naiTOw and 

 cylindrical, with sharp saw-like teeth, very conspicuous, the bird is one of the 3Ierga)tsers, 

 or "Fishing Ducks," scarcely fit for food. Next, examine the hind toe; if it has a flap or 

 lobe hanging free, the bird is one of tlie Fidigiilinm, which may or may not be good foi' the 

 table ; if tlie hind toe is simple and slender, it is one of the Anatinm, and sure to make a 

 good dish, if in order. All the red- or orange-footed species are Anaiina: (excepting the 

 Mergansers) ; but not all the Anatinm have the feet thus colored. In determining female 

 and young Anatince, look to tlie wing-markings rather than the body-colors. The species 

 of Querquedula are very small "teal " ducks, 16 inches or less in length. 



