THE MALLARD 275 
tent with shooting ‘‘trash ducks’’ might as well 
sell his ten-bore for old metal for all the 
pleasure he would get from it; but the crop of 
duskies seems to be pretty much the same each 
year, for which blessing we should be truly 
thankful. 
After their arrival on the breeding grounds 
the Mallards choose their mates, the drakes 
often fighting fierce battles for the possession 
of the belles of the flock. As each pair agrees 
to join forces for the season they leave the main 
body to seek out a suitable nesting place. 
They usually make their nest upon the ground, 
but will not refuse to occupy the deserted nest 
of hawk or crow if in a spot where they have 
reason to think that the ground floor is unsafe. 
Their nests are lined with dry grass and down 
from their own bodies. The complement of 
eggs varies from eight to ten, dingy yellowish 
gray in color, and not to be distinguished from 
those of the domestic bird. The period of in- 
cubation is about four weeks. 
In the Old World the Mallard is one of the 
commonest ducks, nesting in the northern por- 
tions of Europe and Asia, and wintering in 
southern Asia and northern Africa. With us 
