THE BIRDS OF WISCONSIN. 
17 
Merganser serrator (Linn.). RED-BREASTED MERGANSER. 
Common during migrations, but not in as great numbers 
as the preceding. A regular breeder about Green Bay and 
Lake Superior. We have nesting records for Green Bay up 
to June, 1886. Our observation has been that it is much more 
common in the eastern than in the western part of the state, 
and is not as liable to remain all winter as is M. americanu#. 
Lophodytes eucullatus (Mnn.). HOODED MERGANSER. 
Very common, sometimes fairly abundant, in most sections 
of the state, although for some reason not apparent it does 
not frequent all sections alike. Where there is open water, 
as in Lake Michigan, and, in mild winters, portions of the 
larger inland lakes, it remains all winter. Breeds sparingly, 
in suitable localities, from the southern tier of counties north- 
ward. Unlike the last two this "fish duck" is most often of 
excellent flavor, and is considered by many local gunners as 
superior to the blue-bill, whistler, butterball, and many other 
sea ducks. 
Anas lioschas Linn. MALLARD. 
Still abundant as a migrant, and, in Southern Wisconsin, 
as a winter resident. Here large numbers remain on the 
prairies all winter, feeding in the corn fields and resorting to 
the open springs and spring runs at night. At the present 
time the mallard nests but sparingly in the localities where 
it was formerly a common breeder, still clinging, however, to 
any suitable locality when not too much disturbed in late 
spring. 
Anas ol>seura Gmel. BLACK DUCK. 
Typical obscura is rather rare in Wisconsin. A few are 
found during the spring migrations, and some nest each year 
throughout the interior of the state, where they are much 
more common than on Lake Michigan. We have shot young, 
not yet able to fly, in Green Bay in August, presumably of 
this race, and a limited number formerly nested in Horicon 
Marsh. About Delavan specimens are sometimes taken on 
tne opening day of the ducking season, September 1, when 
it is still very hot and unlikely that any migration has 
commenced. 
Anas obscura rubripes Brewst. RED-LEGGED BLACK DUCK. 
This is the common form of the ''black mallard" which 
is shot in Wisconsin during the fall flight and, in the southern 
