e chin. The habits are
the same, and the eggs, which are deposited in April, are similar to
those of the Black Duck, but smaller. Size 2.15 x 1.60.

[Illustration 092: Pale greenish buff.]
[Illustration: Black Duck. Florida Duck.]
[Illustration: deco-photo.]
[Illustration: left hand margin.]

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134a. MOTTLED DUCK. _Anas fulvigula maculosa._

Range.--Gulf coast of Texas and up the Mississippi Valley to Kansas.

The habits of this bird differ in no way from the preceding ones. The
six to ten eggs are greenish buff in color. Size 2.15 x 1.55.

135. GADWALL. _Chaulelasmus streperus._

Range.--Northern Hemisphere, breeding in America, chiefly in the United
States and north to Manitoba, chiefly in the interior.

South in winter to the Gulf. The males of these birds may be identified
by the white speculum and the chestnut wing coverts. Gadwalls nest on
the ground among the reeds of marshes or in the long grass of bordering
fields; they make little or no nest but line the cavity with down from
their breasts. They lay from seven to twelve eggs of a creamy buff
color. Size 2.10 x 1.60. Data.--Benson Co., North Dakota, June 19, 1898.
Eight eggs. Nest on the ground among rank grass on a low island in
Devils Lake. Made of weeds lined with down. Collector, E. S. Rolfe.

136. WIDGEON. _Mareca penelope_.

Range.--Northern Hemisphere, breeding in America, only in the Aleutian
Islands; rare or accidental in other parts of the country.

The European Widgeon is similar in build and plumage to the following
species, except that the whole head, with the exception of the white
crown, is chestnut. They build their nests in the rushes, making them of
reeds and grass and lining them with feathers. They lay from six to ten
light buff colored eggs. Size 2.20 x 1.50.

[Illustration 093: Creamy buff.]
[Illustration: Gadwall. Widgeon.]
[Illustration: Pale buff.]
[Illustration: right hand margin.]

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137. BALDPATE. _Mareca americana._

Range.--North America, breeding in the interior from Texas north to
Hudson Bay.

The Baldpate (so-called because of the white crown) or American Widgeon
is a handsomely marked bird and is regarded as a great table delicacy.
The male birds cannot be mistaken for any other species because of the
white crown, wing coverts and underparts and the broad green stripe,
back of the eye. They breed locally in many parts of the country,
building their nests of grass and weeds, neatly lined