202 



ANATIDjE. 



ducks will not be regarded, even if noticed. If, there- 

 fore, he finds himself still too far from his objects, 

 he may wait patiently for the moment when they 

 again dive, which they will very soon do, and then 

 gaining the water's edge he will get a splendid right 

 and left, as they return to the surface and when they 

 rise on the wing; which be it remembered, all wild- 

 fowl do with their heads to the wind. 



The Dusky-duck ( A. obscura ) is purely North 

 American, and does not appear to be of migratory habit, 

 having been found to breed in nearly all latitudes of that 

 continent, in the marshes of the interior as well as among 

 the rocks of the coast. Their eggs are twelve in number, 

 and white. 



The whole plumage is of a dusky brown, the head 

 and a portion of neck being marked Avith a few streaks 

 of buff, and the wings relieved by an iridescent speculum 

 surrounded by deep black as in the mallard. The 

 inner or under sides of the wings are pure white, con- 

 spicuous only when in the air. The bill is a greenish 

 yellow, and the legs dusky orange. 



The female is smaller and rather browner in colour ; 

 but she has the speculum as well as the male. 



They do not appear to be particular as to the nature 

 of their food, and take anything that comes in the way, 

 notwithstanding Avhich their flesh is considered very good. 



