RI\^R DUCKS 



(134) Anas fulvigula fulvigula 



Ridgway 



(Lat., reddish throat). 



FLORIDA DUCK. Similar to 

 the Black Ducli but lighter colored; 

 chin and throat buffy, with no 

 streaking. Bill greenish, with a 

 black nail and with a blackish spot 

 at the base. 



Range — Northwestern to south- 

 ern Fla. 



(134a) Anas fulvigula macu= 

 losa Sennett 



(Lat., spotted). 



MOTTLED DUCK. Not as buffy 

 as the Florida Duck; each feather on 

 the under parts with a broad dusky 

 spot near the tip. 



Range — Resident in southern 

 Te.xas and in southern La. Acci- 

 dental north to Kan. 



If this fails, at a warning note from their mother, each 

 duckling scurries for cover among rushes, weeds or lily-pads, 

 while the parent tries to lead the pursuer away by pre- 

 tending to be wounded. If she and her brood are dis- 

 covered on shore, this ruse is even more effective, as she trips 

 and stumbles along, with traiUng wings and whining voice; 

 man or beast might easily believe her to be so seriously 

 injured that she could go but a few feet farther. 



Black Ducks are quite nocturnal in their habits, moving 

 about and feeding a great deal, especially on moonlight nights. 

 Occasionally the silence of the marsh will be broken by 

 the quacking of a single duck, followed almost instantly 

 by that of all the ducks and drakes present, and subsiding 

 as suddenly as it commenced. They feed in shallow water, 

 sifting the mud through the strainer-Hke serrations of the 

 bill and retaining everything edible. 



Black Ducks are cjuite wary and less easily decoyed 

 than most species. They usually fly high, with no regular 

 formation, and may readily be identified by the contrast 



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