274 FEATHERED GAME 
THE MALLARD. 
(Anas boschas.) 
From the records of our older gunners the 
number of Mallards now visiting our section 
shows a material decrease in the last few years. 
Even up to fifteen years ago they were not un- 
common, but now this world-wide favorite with 
the wildfowler is seldom seen here (Maine) ex- 
cept in the favored waters of Merrymeeting 
Bay, which place, as regards the number and 
variety of wildfowl found, is probably the best 
duck-shooting point anywhere along the north- 
east coast of the United States. In Casco Bay 
we may take fifty Mallards in a season, though 
I think this is a very liberal estimate. 
Throughout the central portion of the continent 
this is the most numerous species of wildfowl. 
But with all this scarcity of Mallards in our 
waters there is still a crumb of comfort for us 
in the thought that we have the black duck, a 
near relation, and as a game bird fully the equal 
of, and in some respects superior to, Mr. Mal- 
lard himself. Were it not for the black duck 
the New England wildfowler who is not con- 
