83 
difficult to tell from the Sea or Bay Ducks, but in general are longer and more shapely 
in appearance with more slender necks. They are probably more easily recognized by 
species. 
Figure 116 
Foot of surface-feeding Duck; 
scale, J. 
Nesting. Usually on the ground. Occasionally in trees. 
Distribution. As a class the Pond and River Ducks are more abundant in the interior 
than on either coast. 
As the names imply, the River and Pond Ducks frequent our smaller 
inland waters more than they do the larger ones. They feed from the 
surface by “tipping” and reaching under the water, and rarely dive. The 
food is gathered in the bill and the water squeezed out, the laminae of the 
bills retaining the solid matter. 
Economic Status. Being strictly water-birds and vegetable and insect 
feeders, their food habits generally are not harmful to human interests. 
It has lately been shown that Ducks feed largely upon mosquito larvae 
and that they may do surprising good in this direction. By actual experi- 
ment, a pair of Ducks in a small pond did more to reduce these pests in it 
than a considerable school of goldfish. As game, they are of great import- 
ance, See page 75. 
132. Mallard, green-head. Anas platyrhynchos. L, 23. Plate VI B. 
Distinctions. The male cannot be mistaken for any other wild Duck, though many 
domestic strains approach it closelv. The female is often referred to other species and is 
sometimes called “Grey Duck.” There are several other Ducks approaching her in colora- 
tion, but the purple speculum with the white bar both before and behind the speculum 
are good distinguishing marks. 
Field Marks. Green head and white neck-ring are conspicuous recognition marks for 
the adult male. The speculum with its white bars will identify the female in life. The 
tail of both sexes shows a general whiteness in flight that iB quite characteristic. 
Nesting. On the ground usually; in high grass or reeds occasionally at a considerable 
distance from water, and because of this it often thrives in sections from which other species 
have been driven away 
Distribution. Distributed over practically the whole of Canada except in the far north, 
but less common in the extreme east. Breeds throughout Canada except where dis- 
turbed b> settlement. 
This is the “Wild Duck” par excellence, and is known as such to the 
sportsman of the Old World as well as the New. It is the original stock 
from which our common domestic varieties sprang and nearly any mixed 
farmyard flock will show the green-black heads, white collar, or recurved 
uppertail-coverts denoting reversion to the original form. As well as 
being one of the best table-birds, it is one of the wariest of Ducks. 
The Mallard is a strong and virile bird and it crosses with other Ducks 
more readily than any other. The results of such crosses are taken com- 
paratively frequently, especially those with Pintail or Black Duck. It is 
OlOM-fii 
