156 
BLACK DUCK. 
reach of shot; but when the wind blows hard, and the gunner con- 
ceals himself among the salt grass in a place over which they 
usually fly, they are shot down in great numbers ; their flight be- 
ing then low. Geese, Brant, and Black Ducks are the common 
game of all our gunners along this part of the coast during win- 
ter ; but tliere are at least ten Black Ducks for one Goose or Brant, 
and probably many more. Their voice resembles that of the Mal- 
lard ; but their flesh is greatly inferior, owing to the nature of 
their food. They are, however, large, heavy-bodied Ducks, and 
generally esteemed. 
I cannot discover that this species is found in any of the re- 
mote northern parts of our continent ; and this is probably the 
cause why it is altogether unknown in Europe. It is abundant 
from Virginia to New England; but is not enumerated among the 
birds of Hudson’s bay, or Greenland. In Georgia and Florida it 
is very rare.* Its chief residence is on the seacoast, though it 
it also makes extensive excursions up the tide waters of our rivers. 
Like the Mallai’d they rarely dive for food, but swim and fly with 
great velocity. 
The Dusky or Black Duck is two feet in length, and three 
feet two inches in extent; the bill is of a dark greenish ash, form- 
ed very much like that of the Mallard, and nearly of the same 
length; irides dark; upper part of the head deep dusky brown, in- 
termixed on the forepart with some small streaks of drab ; rest of 
the head, and greater part of the neck, pale yellow ochre, thickly 
marked with small streaks of blackish brown; lower part of the 
neck, and whole lower parts, deep dusky, each feather edged with 
brownish white, and with fine seams of rusty white; upper parts 
the same, but rather deeper ; the outer vanes of nine of the se- 
condaries bright violet blue, forming the beauty spot, which is 
* During a winter spent among the sea islands of Georgia, and in East Florida, the Edi- 
tor saw but one individual of this Duck : a proof of its rarity*. 
