DUSKY DUCK. 
249 
which some years ago was rather scarce in South Carolina, is now becoming 
quite abundant in that state, where, during autumn and winter, it resorts to 
the rice-fields. After feeding a few weeks on the seeds it becomes fat, juicy, 
and tender. He adds that the farther inland, the more plentifully does it 
occur, which may be owing to the many steamers that ply on the rivers 
along the sea coast, where very few are to be seen. They are, however, 
followed in their retreats, and shot in great numbers, so that the markets of 
Charleston are now amply supplied with them. He also informs me that he 
has known hybrid broods produced by a male of this species and the common 
domestic Duck ; and that he had three of these hybrid females, the eggs of 
all of which were productive. The young birds were larger than either of 
their parents, but although they laid eggs in the course of the following 
spring, not one of these proved impregnated. He further states that he 
procured three nests of the Dusky Duck in the State of New York. 
The young of this species, in the early part of autumn, afford delicious 
eating, and, in my estimation, are much superior in this respect to the more 
celebrated Canvass-back Duck. That the species should not before now 
have been brought into a state of perfect domestication, only indicates our 
reluctance unnecessarily to augment the comforts which have been so boun- 
tifully accorded by Nature to the inhabitants of our happy country. In our 
eastern markets the price of these birds is from a dollar to a dollar and fifty 
cents the pair. They are dearer at New Orleans, but much cheaper in the 
States of Ohio and Kentucky, where they are still more abundant. Their 
feathers are elastic, and as valuable as those of any other species. 
I have represented a pair of these birds procured in the full perfection 
of their plumage. 
Dusky Duck, Anas obscura, Wils. Amer. Orn., vol. viii. p. 141. 
Anas obscura, Bonap. Syn., p. 884. 
Dusky Duck, Anas obscura , Nutt. Man., vol. ii. p. 392. 
Dusky Duck, Anas obscura , Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. iv. p. 15. 
Male, 24i, 385. Female, 22, 34L 
Breeds in Texas, westward, and throughout the United States, British 
Provinces, and Labrador. Columbia river. Common in autumn and spring 
along the Middle Atlantic Districts. Abundant in the Southern and West- 
ern States in winter. 
Adult Male. 
Bill about the length of the head, higher than broad at the base, depressed 
and widened towards the end, rounded at the tip. Upper mandible with the 
dorsal line sloping and a little concave, the ridge at the base broad and flat, 
towards the end broadly convex, as are the sides, the edges soft and thin, the 
Vol. VI. 34 
