290 FEATHERED GAME 
are about equal though in the few comparisons 
which the writer has had the opportunity of 
making the Black Duck has had a shade the 
better of the weights. The male and female of 
this species are marked alike, and the male 
bird may usually be distinguished by the fine 
line of white on the outer edge of the speculum, 
but this rule is not invariable. The general 
color of these birds is a dull, dusky brown, with 
a lighter yellowish brown on the edges of the 
feathers. Head and neck are lighter in tone 
and of a yellowish buff shade, darker on the top 
of the head and back of the neck, lighter on the 
throat and streaked with dark brown lines 
which are more numerous on the hind neck and 
crown than on cheeks, chin and throat. The 
speculum is of deep violet hue, set in a black 
frame; usually in the male with a fine edging 
of white showing on the tips of the feathers 
which make it. Iris brown; bill yellowish 
green with a black nail; feet are dull orange 
with dusky webs and black nails. 
The weight of this species ranges from two 
and one-half to three and one-half pounds. The 
length averages from twenty-two to twenty- 
four inches; in extent the measurements vary. 
