690’  sYsTEMA TIC SYNOPSIS. — LAMELLIROSTRES — ANSERES. 
ducks, the toes and their webs not being so highly developed. None of the Anatine are 
extensively maritime, like most of the Fuliguline ; yet they are by no means confined to 
fresh waters, and some species constantly associate with the seaducks. They feed exten- 
sively, like most geese, upon succulent aquatic herbage, but also upon various animal 
substances ; their flesh is almost without exception excellent. They do not dive for their 
food. The moult is double; the sexes are almost invariably markedly distinct in color; 
the young resemble the 
? ; the wing has usu- 
ally a brilliant speculum, 
which, like the other 
wing-markings, is the 
same in both sexes. Un- 
like geese, these and oth- 
er ducks are not doubly- 
monogamous, but simply 
so if not polygamous ; 
the male pays no atten- 
tion to the young. Ex- 
cluding the shieldrake 
group, already mentioned 
as pertaining rather to 
the geese than the ducks, 
there are about fifty spe- 
cies, generally distrib- 
Fic. 478.— Mallards. (From Lewis.) uted over the world. 
They are split into a large number of modern genera, most of which indicate little more than 
specific characters; the majority are represented in this country.. Of those here following, 
two, Spatula and Aix, represent decided structural peculiarity; the rest might all be referred 
to Anas, type of the group. The Malacorhynchus membranaceus, of Australia, is a notable 
exotic form. 
Analysis of Genera, 
Head crested ; bill narrow, the tip formed widely by thenail . . ........24.4- . Aix 290 
Head not crested; bill greatly wider at end than at base ee we ee we we ee ee Spatula 289 
Head not crested ; bill not spoon-shaped. 
Tail cuneate, with narrow central feathers more than halfaslongas wing. ... .. . & Dafila 285 
Tail not cuneate, not half as long as wing. 
Bill shorter than head ; tail-feathers lance-acute; head not white; belly white yg. and 9 Dajila 285 
Bill shorter than head ; tail-feathers not acute; crown and belly white . ‘ . . »Mareca 27 
Bill about as long as head, or longer. 
Wing-speculum white; wing-coverts chestnut; bill dark; feet orange . . . Chaulelasnus 286 
Wing-speculum violet, black-bordered; bill greenish, or dusky and orange; feet orange Anas 284 
Wing-speculum green; lesser coverts blue or not; billdark. Verysmall . . Querquedula 288 
Oss. — The old males of all our species are unmistakable, having strong marks of color, 
size, and form; but the females and young may not always be recognized at a glance. In 
examining any “duck” of which you are in doubt, first notice the bill ; if it is narrow and 
cylindrical, with sharp saw-like teeth, very conspicuous, the bird is one of the Mergansers, 
r ‘Fishing Ducks,” scarcely fit for food. Next, examine the hind toe; if it has a flap or 
lobe hanging free, the bird is one of the Fuliguline, which may or may not be good for the ° 
table; if the hind toe is simple and slender, it is one of the Anatine, and sure to make a 
good dish, if in order. All the red- or orange-footed species are Anatine (excepting the 
Mergansers); but not all the Anatine have the feet thns colored. In determining female 
and young Anatine, look to the wing-markings rather than the body-colors. The species 
of Querquedula are very small ‘‘teal” ducks, 16 inches or less in length. 
