Albinism and Melanism in North 
American Birds* Ru.th.ven Deane, 
cC 
npu ^ J.. boschas , ^Casi~ la ^ ^ 
c*^ 
B oil. N-O.Q. 1,April, 1876, p. 23 
Melanietic Plumages. R.Deane. 
2. Anas boschas. Mallard. — Naumann (Yol. II, p. 589 ) says: 
A very beautiful and very rare variety is black.” He mentions a male 
in high breeding plumage, in which the whole plumage is so dark/that it 
appears as though one saw the usual coloration through a pretty thick 
black veil. „ 
Bull. N.Q.O. 5, Jan. ,1880, p.30 
Brief Notes. 
Much discussion was evoked sometime since 
by the question of the change of plumage by 
the Mallard Drake. Mr. Geo. E. Boardman, a 
veteran naturalist and a careful observer, on a 
recent visit to our office, stated that the $ Mal¬ 
lard loses its green head every season about May, 
and resumes it again in the fall. In the inter¬ 
im it does not particularly resemble the £ 
as it has the green wing-patch, and the curled 
tail, with a sort of mottled gray plumage. Mr. 
Boardman ha.s shot this bird in New England 
and in the West at all seasons of the year, and 
is positive whereof he speaks. It is somewhat | 
curious that this fact has so long been hidden 
from the ken of the run of collectors if it has 
been known. 
O.fe O.Vol.l7,Jan.l892 p. 12 
Breeding of the Mallard in New England. —With reference to 
the statement in Stearns’s “New England Bird-Life,” that the authorities 
do not appear to be aware of the breeding of the Mallard in New Eng¬ 
land, I receive a note from Mr. Elisha Slade of Somerset, Mass., to the 
effect that the bird is a regular breeder in his neighborhood.— Elliott 
Codes, Washington , D. C. Bull, N.O.O, S.JtUy. 1883 , p, /<f<£ 
I2 l6 ‘ A Mallard Duck's Nest in a Tree. By E. O. Brauns. Ibid., No 
23, June 6, p. 536—Near Tracy, Minn., a Mallard appropriates an old 
lawk x nest placed twenty feet from the ground in an oak'tree twenty feet 
bom the nearest water. American Field. XXII 1 
1379. Plumage of the Mallard Urane. r>y x. u. uuevto. “fu.M.., 
22, Dec. 22, p. 428.—In the summer the drake looses his green head 
. . . and the tuft of curly feathers on the tail.” J £0Z"£ - ‘.'XQe ; QC 
1382. Grouse and Mallard Plumage. By Robert Ridgway. Ibid., 
No. 24, Dec. 25, p. 463.—“Specimens [of Grouse] not unfrequently occur,' 
which it would be impossible to determine the sex of without dissec¬ 
tion.” The male of several species of Ducks assumes the plumage of 
the female in the summer. F or. 8s Stream . Yol . XXIX [ 
704. Notes from Connecticut. By C. M. Jones. Ibid., p. 32.—A pair 
of Mallards shot at Eastford, Conn., Oct. 30, 1882. Q-, 8 s OdVoLVIII 
Plumage of the M allard. By J. L. Rooney. ®QR, & Stream. Vole 30 
1219. Domesticating Wild Mallards. By James P. Beach. Ibid., No. 
12, Sept. 19, p. 270. s/ 
1S22 A Tame Wild Duck. By H. C. Newell. Ibid., Nov. 7, p. 303. 
-Anas obscura. For, & Stream, Yol, 33 
1241. Mallards Breeding in Confinement. By A. A. Bogen. Ibid., 
No. 3.-July 17. American XXVI 
Mountain Birds, Anas boschas ' Mallard.- This was found commonly on several 
of Arizona. «*, « .he, , 8£)0 p 
2 lallard’s 'ige ting Place. By Burr H. Polk. Ibid., 
XVIII, No. 22, p. 427.—wii the open prairie, in eastern Colorado. ^ 
