240 



NATATORES. 



ing the operation of dressing and arranging their 

 plumage, they are apt to be very noisy, their notes 

 varying much from high to low, according to circum- 

 stances. But so vigilant are they, that upon the least 

 note of alarm from the sentinel all is immediately 

 quiet, and they move noiselessly away from the scene 

 of danger. 



Mallard Duck. 



Of the Duck tribe we have a large number of spe- 

 cies, many of them possessed of beautiful plumage 

 and interesting habits. Quite prominent among these 

 is the Common Mallard, with its stately head of rich 

 golden green, and back and breast and wings of va- 

 ried shades of brown and blue and black and white. 

 From this fine bird has sprung many of the races 

 of Domestic Ducks which are now dispersed over the 

 country. But in his wild state he bears so little re- 

 semblance to his degenerate progeny, that one would 

 scarcely recognize his connection with it. The Mai- 



