BLACK DUCK. 
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brown, the greater being tipped with black, preceded by a white band. Tail, brown, with the feathers spotted and edged 
with white.. Under surface, not described, excepting the under wing coverts which are black with greenish reflections, 
creamy-white, finely banded everywhere, excepting on under wing coverts and axiilaries, but more prominently on sides, 
with brown. Tips of feathers of flanks, white. Iris, brown; feet, reddish-orange, bill, greenish-brown. 
Adult female General color, dark-brown, with feathers edged and streaked with yellowish-rufous which predominates 
below and which is tinged on breast, sides, flanks, and under tail coverts with chestnut. Otherwise similar to the adult 
male. Young. Similar to the adult female but paler. 
OBSERVATIONS. 
The male may be known by the green head, and the female by the predominating white on tail. Distributed, in sum¬ 
mer, throughout the West and North; wintering in the South. Not very common in New England during migrations. 
DIMENSIONS. 
Average measurements of specimens from North America. Length, 23-50; stretch, 55‘50; wing, ll'OO; tail, 3'80; bill, 
2‘25; tarsus, 1’75. Longest specimen, 25’00; greatest extent of wing, 28-75; longest wing, 11*50; tail, 4'00; bill, 2 30; tar¬ 
sus, 1'90. Shortest specimen, 22‘00; smallest extent of wing, 22*25; shortest wing, 10'50; tail, 3 - 60; bill, 2 - 15; tarsus, l - 60. 
DESCRIPTION OF NESTS AND EGGS. 
Nests, placed on the ground in marshy places, composed of weeds, grass, etc. Eggs, six to ten in number, elliptical 
in form, greenish-brown in color. Dimensions from 1’40x2-25 to l’70x2’35. 
HABITS. 
Although I have occasionally taken specimens of the Mallard Duck in New England, 
they are far from being common here. I have also found them, in winter, in Florida, but 
never very abundant, nor do I think that any breed in the State, the great strong-hold of 
the species, appearing to be in the West. Those which I observed in Florida, were quite 
tame, insomuch so that I have walked within a few feet of them, as they sat in the small 
pools on the marshes, and shot them, aslhey rose, with dust shot. Although usually a riv¬ 
er Duck, those that I have seen, both North and South, were in pools on salt marshes, or 
in creeks in which the tide rose and fell. In general habits, the Mallards closely resemble 
the following species but are, however, more often domesticated, and those which have 
been bred in this condition for many years, retain the plumage of the original birds so well, 
that it is often impossible to detect any difference, and they readily become feral, associa¬ 
ting with wild Ducks. 
ANAS OBSCURA. 
Black Duck. 
Anas oibscura Gm., Syst. Nat. I; 1788, 541. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Sp. Cn Size, large. Form, robust. Color. Adult male. Dark-brown throughout streaked on head, neck, and ab¬ 
domen with pale reddish-yellow; and feathers of remainder of body, especially below, edged with yellowish. Under win”- 
coverts, axiilaries, and tips of secondaries, white. Speculum, green with violet reflections, surrounded by black. Feet 
greenish-yellow. Iris, brown. Bill, greenish-brown. Adult female and Young. Similar, but paler. Nestlings. Above, 
including stripe behind eye, yellowish-brown, with several spots of buffy-yellow. Beneath, pale buffy-yellow. 
OBSERVATIONS'. 
Readily known by the universally dark colors. Florida specimens are not only smaller in size but are lighter in color 
than Northern birds, the number of tail feathers is less, and there are longitudinal streaks above of yellowish in males. 
Distributed, in summer, throughout Eastern North America, from Labrador to Texas ;winters from Massachusetts, south. 
DIMENSIONS. 
Average measurements of specimens from North America. Length, 22-50; stretch, 35-80; wing, 10’50; tail, 3-38; bill, 
1- 90; tarsus, 1’85. Longest specimen, 24-00; greatest extent of wing, 37-50; longest wing, 11 -00; taii.3‘50; bill, 2’10; tarsus, 
2- 15. Shortest specimen, 21 ’00; smallest extent of wing, 34’00; shortest wing, 10’00; tail, 3-12; bill, P75; tarsus 160. 
DESCRIPTION OF NESTS AND EGGS. 
Nests, placed on the ground in marshy places, composed of grass, weeds, etc. Eggs, six to ten in number, ellipti¬ 
cal in form, and greenish-brown in color. Dimensions from 1-40x2-25 to l"75x2-35. 
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