MOTTLED DUCK. 



'T^HIS Duck was described by Mr. Sennett from a 

 specimen taken at Nueces Bay, near Corpus Christi, 

 Texas, by Mr. J. A. Singley, who was collecting birds 

 for him at that tinie. It resembles closely the previous 

 subspecies, the Florida Dusky Duck, but chiefly differs 

 in having the cheeks streaked with brown, instead of 

 being plain buff; and the speculum, or metallic spot 

 on the wing, purple instead of green. The general effect ' 

 of the coloration of the plumage is that of being spotted 

 instead of streaked, and the light markings are pale buff 

 instead of a deep buff, and this gives a slightly different 

 appearance to the two forms, but they nevertheless re- 

 semble each other. The streaked cheeks are to be 

 seen among some individuals of the Florida Dusky 

 Duck, and the color of the speculum is at times merely 

 a question of light, purple and green in metallic hues 

 being often interchangeable. An ornithologist might 

 readily recognize to which form most of his specimens 

 belonged, but the ordinary observer would probably have 

 difficulty in distinguishing them. 



There appears to be a great similarity in the habits of 

 this bird and those of its relative, as might be expected, 

 but not many specimens have as yet been obtained, and 

 more information regarding it is needed before the 

 validity of its subspecific standing is satisfactorily deter- 

 mined. In Louisiana it is known as Canard Noir d'Ete; 

 or Black Summer Duck. It is said to be a common 

 resident in that State, and breeds there. 



