Ducks SWIMMING BIRDS. 



Female : Smaller. Above brown and ash-gray, slightly crested. 

 Season : " Common winter resident from November to April." 



(Averill.) 

 Breeds : North of the United States. 

 Bange : North America generally. 



" In buying a Duck notice the bill, that it be not cylin- 

 drical, hooked, or saw-toothed." This is good advice, for 

 the mission of the Wild Duck, as far as society in general 

 is concerned, seems to be the epicure's table, where it 

 appears in various stages of rawness, according to the 

 name under which it has been sold. There are many 

 Ducks that are totally unfit for food, and the Merganser 

 is one of these, being a " Fishing Duck," and able to fol- 

 low its prey under water. It is a gluttonous bird, gorging 

 itself with such quantities of fish, frogs, etc., as to render 

 its flesh exceedingly rank. It is beautifully feathered, how- 

 ever, and frequently figures in dining-rooms on the orna- 

 mental panels of stuffed Game-birds. 



Another species associating with this is the Red-breasted 

 Merganser, which hardly differs from it save in the redness 

 of the upper breast and in having a long, pointed crest. 

 Both species inhabit the vicinity of fresh and salt water alike. 



Sub-family Anatin^e : River Ducks. 1 

 Mallard : Anas boschas. 



Plate 71. 



Length : 24 inches. 



Male : Bill greenish yellow ; head and upper part of neck brilliant, 

 glossy green, a white colar dividing it from the chestnut-brown 

 of the lower neck. Under parts and sides pale gray, waved 

 with darker. Back reddish brown at top, growing dull near 

 tail. Tail coverts black ; tail mostly white ; wings gray, white, 

 and black. Speculum 2 shaded purple, bordered with black. 

 Feet orange-red. 



1 Ducks feeding largely upon juicy vegetable matter, and not diving 

 for their food. Feet smaller than those of the Sea Ducks, and more suited 

 for walking. 



2 The secondary quills of the wings of Ducks usually exhibit patches of 

 varied or iridescent colour ; this coloured patch is called the speculum. 



256 



