Mallard 37 
Distribution.—The greater part of the northern hemisphere of the 
Old and New Worlds; in America breeding north and west of a line 
drawn from Lower California to about western Pennsylvania and thence 
north to Hudson Bay, and wintering over the greater part of the 
United States, especially in the lower Mississippi Valley and Mexico 
as far as Mexico City. 
The Mallard is the most abundant Duck in Colorado; it is not un- 
common, in winter; it breeds throughout most of the State from the 
plains to about 9,000 feet, and it is still more abundant on migration, 
especially in the fall. 
It is a common summer resident as well as a winter bird at Barr 
near Denver, it breeds in South and Middle Parks (Carter) and in Estes 
Park (Kellogg) and in Mesa co., along the Grand River, in Plateau 
Valley from about 6,000 feet to 9,000 feet on Beaver Creek at its head 
(Reckwell), 
It is an early migrant; the spring flight takes place from about 
March 5th to 25th, and the return from October 15th to the end of 
the month ; it has been observed on migration throughout the whole 
State. 
Habits.—This, the Wild Duck par excellence, is far 
the commonest of all the Ducks, not only in most of 
North America, but also in the Old World. It is un- 
doubtedly the original progenitor of our domestic Ducks, 
and will often cross with them; though monogamous 
in a wild state, it soon becomes polygamous when 
domesticated. It is essentially a fresh-water Duck, 
seeking its food in swamps and marshes rather than in 
large bodies of open water, and feeding on snails, frogs 
and aquatic insects, but chiefly on grain and vegetable 
matter. It is therefore, as a rule, well flavoured and 
sought after for the table. The nest is placed on the 
ground in the grass near the edges of ponds or marshes, 
and is made of grass, leaves and weeds, loosely put 
together and lined with feathers or down. The eggs, 
6 to 10 in number, are buffy or whitish, usually with a green 
tinge. They measure 2:30 x 1:60. Dille gives the 
second week in May as the average time for fresh eggs 
near Denver. 
