88 
A NSERI FOR M ES 
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 
interesting in such cases to note that the typical Mallard speculum is a 
dominant factor and is almost invariably inherited in all crosses with 
other species. 
“The Mallard is the most important duck of the west and must be 
classed among the first two or three game birds of North America. It is 
a capable bird; a prolific multiplier, raising nine or ten young; hardy in 
the extreme; coming north at the break-up and remaining on the prairies 
until freeze-up; in the first rank as a table-bird; elusive and wary enough 
as game. It has taken to feeding on the fields to an extent approached by 
no other duck and the wheat or barley-fed Mallard is to the epicure the 
equal of any northern Canvas-back. Wondrous flights to the fields are 
seen on the prairies in places and sometimes in September damage is done 
to the wheat shocks. Large numbers of Mallards are shot on the fields 
and this has made the bird available as game to many hunters who cannot 
shoot upon the marshes. Only in the coastal west where, sometimes, on 
account of its habit of eating decomposing salmon and so becoming unfit 
for food, is the bird other than a favourite.” 
Figure 127 
Wing of Mallard. 
Figure 128 
Wing of Black Duck. 
133. Black Duck. BLACK MALLARD. DUSKY DUCK. LE CANARD NOIR, AnOS rub- 
ripes. L, 22. Plate VI B. Very similar in general appearance to a very dark brown, 
almost black, female Mallard. In the male the general 
streakiness, though largely obscured by a uniform 
dark colour, persists strongly on the face. The same 
is true of the female to a less degree. 
Distinctions. Besides the general dark coloration, 
the absence of white borders to the purple speculum 
fore and aft (Figure 128) is distinctive in any plumage. 
There is no danger of confusing it with any of the 
black Scoters, because of the speculum and mallard- 
like bill, the hind toe of the River and Pond Ducks, 
and the streaky coloration on the face. 
Figure 129 
Black Duck (male); 
scale, J. 
Field Marks. Very dark, almost black, with a 
silvery sheen to the underwing surfaces. It is too rare a bird west of the Great Lakes to 
be recorded on sight identification. 
Nesting. On the ground, near water. 
