trees, in wooded districts
near the water, lining the cavity with grasses and down. They lay ten or
twelve grayish white eggs. Size 2.15 x 1.70.

132. MALLARD. _Anas platyrhynchos._

Range.--Northern Hemisphere, breeding in America from northern United
States northward, and wintering south to Panama and the West Indies.

Contrasting with the preceding Fish Ducks, the Mallards are regarded as
one of the most esteemed table birds. They feed on mollusks and marine
insects which they generally reach by tipping in shallow water. They
nest in many localities in the United States but more abundantly north
of our borders. They nest in fields in close proximity to ponds or
lakes, placing their nests of grasses and feathers in the tall grass. In
May and June they lay from six to ten eggs of a buffy or olive color.
Size 2.25 x 1.25. Data.--San Diego, California, May 19, 1897. Nest made
of grass, lined with down, placed on the edge of a field near a pond.

[Illustration 090: Hooded Merganser. Mallard.]
[Illustration: Grayish white.]
[Illustration: left hand margin.]

Page 89

[Illustration 091: Lake Winnipegosis, June 16, 1902 Walter Raine NEST
AND EGGS OF AMERICAN MERGANSER.

This species usually nest in holes in trees, but on this island they
were nesting in holes under boulders.]

Page 90

133. BLACK DUCK. _Anas rubripes._

Range.--Eastern North America, breeding from the middle portions north
to the Hudson Bay territory and Labrador.

Throughout their breeding region, one or more pairs of these ducks nest
in nearly every favorable locality. Their nests are placed on the ground
in marshes, swamps or fields bordering a pond or lake, the nest being
concealed in the long grass or reeds. They breed in equal abundance,
either in the interior or along the sea coast; in the latter case their
nests are often placed beside of, or under an overhanging rock. It is
made of weeds, grass and moss and is lined with feathers and down. They
lay from six to twelve eggs during May and June; these are buff or
greenish buff in color. Size 2.30 x 1.70. Data.--Duck Is., Maine, June
3, 1893. Nest of grasses, concealed in a large tuft on water's edge.

134. FLORIDA DUCK. _Anas fulvigula fulvigula._

Range.--Florida and the Gulf of the Mississippi.

This is a similar, lighter colored, locally distributed race of the
foregoing. The most noticeable difference in plumage between this and
the Black Duck is the absence of markings on th