The Mallard 



casionally nest on the ground, laying their eggs in a hollow in the moss, 

 beneath the low-spreading branches of some fir or cedar." 



Since writing the above, Mr. Bowles tells me that he has taken 

 (April 21, 191 7) a set of eggs of the Hooded Merganser, n/10, from an 

 artificial nesting box nailed up against a tree overlooking a secluded lake 

 near Tacoma. Only the initiated can guess the skill and patience re- 

 quired on the part of the oozetetic sedncteur in the landing of this difficult 

 prize. 



No. 344 



Mallard 



A. O. U. No. 132. Anas boschas Linnaeus. 



Synonyms. — Gray Mallard. "Wild Duck" (par excellence). Green- 

 head. 



Description. — Adult male: Whole head and neck soft, shining, dark green; 

 fore-neck and breast rich dark chestnut, with a purplish tinge, separated from green 

 of neck by narrow white collar not meeting behind; sides of breast, belly, sides and 

 crissum grayish white, finely undulated with dusky; the same continued on back, 

 but largely overlaid or suppressed, except on scapulars, by rich brown of various shades; 

 speculum (terminal portion of secondaries) shining metallic blue or purplish violet, 

 bordered on either side immediately by black and then by white, — the anterior bars 

 furnished by the tips of the greater coverts, the posterior by the tips of the secondaries', 

 rump sooty brown; upper tail-coverts deep black with greenish gloss, the longer central 

 feathers curled upward; under tail-coverts deep purplish black; tail grayish white with 

 dusky speckling and central areas. Bill olive-yellow with black nail; iris hazel; feet 

 orange-red. Adult female: Quite different; speculum much as in male, but remaining 

 plumage dusky and ochraceous or brownish buff, the former centrally on feathers, 

 broadly and prevailingly on upperparts, the latter narrowly or obscurely in crescentic, 

 U-shaped, and irregular markings; below brownish buff predominant, brightest on 

 breast, fading on belly; head and neck buff, sharply and finely streaked except on 

 throat and usually chin, where immaculate. Adult male in summer: Much like 

 female, but somewhat darker (Sharpe and Dresser). Length 508-635 (20.00-25.00); 

 wing 279.4 (n.oo); tail 85.1 (3.35); bill 57.2 (2.25); tarsus 44.5 (1.75). Females average 

 smaller than males. 



Recognition Marks. — The standard of measurement for ducks (size of Domes- 

 tic Duck). Green head of male; metallic blue speculum, bordered by black and white, 

 of both sexes. 



Nesting. — Nest: On the ground, usually near water, well hidden in weeds or 

 rushes, sometimes under sage-bush, at foot of tree in woods, etc., lined with trash and 

 feathers. Eggs: 6 to 12, 14 of record; light greenish gray (yellowish glaucous) or 

 "yellowish drab." Av. size 58.4 x 43.2 (2.30 x 1.70); index 73.9. Season: May- 

 June 15; one brood. 



1751 



