WATER-FOWL 133 



breeds we now possess have been developed. The Mal- 

 lard is much the easiest of all wild ducks to manage and 

 rear. Its propagation is carried on extensively on game 

 preserves and great numbers are reared yearly. An excel- 

 lent field awaits the producer of these birds for market, as 

 the demand is heavy and but a small portion has so far been 

 met. 



The Black Duck (Anas rubripes), although closely 

 allied to the Mallard, does not share its domestic tendiencies. 

 It is shy and secretive, and although many attempts have 

 been made to rear it on a large scale, there has as yet been 

 no notable success. 



The Pintail (Dafila acuta), Baldpate (Mareca amer- 

 icana) and Shoveller (Spatula clypeata) are other native 

 American species (the first and last are found in the Old 

 World as well) which are attractive for their ornamental 

 value. All are hardy and easily kept, and all have been 

 bred in captivity on occasion. 



Of the three North American Teal, the Green-wing 

 (Nettion carolinense) is the smallest, and likewise the hardi- 

 est. The Blue-wing (Querquedula discors) and Cinna- 

 mon (Q. cyanoptera) are well enough during warm 

 weather, but in New York at least cannot endure the severe 

 winters we sometimes experience. The Gadwall (Chau- 

 lelasmus strepera) is another which does not like cold 

 weather, although thoroughly acclimatized specimens get on 

 well enough. 



Of foreign species. South America offers some most 

 attractive forms. The Chilian Pintail (Dafila spini- 

 cauda} and the Chilian Widgeon (Mareca sibilatrix) 

 are both hardy and handsome, requiring no artificial heat 

 during the winter. In both species the sexes are alike in 

 color. The many beautiful South American Teal — ^the 

 Brazilian (Nettion braiiliense), the Black-capped or 



