The Black Duck 



shores of the chosen lake or pond do not offer a grassy or reedy shelter, 

 the bird will make her nest at the base of a clump of bushes or of a tree. 

 In the more arid sections ducks will nest under sage or other bushes a half 

 mile from water. Examples also are on record where the Mallard oc- 

 cupied a more elevated situation: an accumulation of moss in the crotch 

 of a tree, or perhaps an old crow's nest. Upon discovery the bird will 

 flounder off her eggs, and straightway falls into a pretended swoon or 

 drags her wounded (?) body painfully about — always just out of reach — 

 and then, when the victim has been led far enough astray, rises and 

 flies, quacking loudly. 



The male Mallard is probably more loyal than most ducks. There 

 is really no use in his hanging around after the eggs are laid, and his 

 conspicuous beauty might be a detriment, anyhow, in the guardianship 

 of the family secret. For these and other reasons he is usually conspic- 

 uous only by his absence. But when real need arises, as when the young 

 are being assailed by unexpected danger, the gallant drake not infre- 

 quently shows up, and adds his quackings and splashings to those of his 

 wife, ably seconding frantic efforts to distract attention. He does, in 

 other words, all that could be asked of him. But as for particular minis- 

 trations — why, of course, "Mother knows best." 



There does not exist in nature a more engaging sight than that of a 

 mother duck tending and piloting her brood. It does not make much 

 difference as to the species. Baby ducklings are irresistibly cunning, 

 every one of them. They sit the water like corks, or race after their 

 mothers like toy steamboats, or stick their fluffy little heads under water 

 in an obedient effort to do as mother does. The mother herself is the 

 soul of anxiety. And who wouldn't be worried with a dozen babies at 

 once, be they never so good! Minks think them cunning, too, and coy- 

 otes, and water-snakes; and whoever saw a farmer boy who would not 

 dash into a pond pell mell at sight of ducklings? All heedless the capture, 

 but never a true-hearted lad who did not repent and let the peeping 

 captives go. 



No. 345 



Black Duck 



A. O. U. No. 133. Anas rubripes Brewster. 



Synonym. — Black Mallard. 



Description. — Adults (sexes alike): Top of head, broadly, and upperparts 

 dusky brown or sooty brown, varied by pale rusty brown edgings of feathers; remainder 

 of head and neck and hind-neck brownish ochraceous streaked with dusky, save that 

 chin and throat often immaculate; speculum metallic blue or violet bordered by black, 



1757 



