59 2 MALLARD. Class II. 



ftrongly curled upwards; but the females want 

 this mark. Their plumage is of a pale reddifh 

 brown, fpotted with black. The legs are of a faf- 

 fron color. 



The common tame fpecies of ducks take their 

 origin from thefe, and may be traced to it by 

 unerring characters. The drakes, howfoever they 

 vary in colors, always retain the curled feathers of 

 the tail : and both faces the form of the bill of 

 the wild kind. Nature fports in the colors of all 

 domeftic animals 5 and for a wife and ufeful end ; 

 that mankind may the more readily diftinguifh 

 and clame their refpective property. Wild ducks 

 pair in the fpring, and breed in all marfhy grounds, 

 and lay from ten to fixteen eggs. They abound in 

 Lincolnjhire^ the great magazine of wild fowl in 

 this kingdom; where prodigious numbers are taken 

 annually in the decoys. 



Decoys. A decoy is generally made where there is a large 



pond furrounded with wood, and beyond that a 

 marfhy and uncultivated country : if the piece of 

 water is not thus furrounded, it will be attended 

 with the noife and other accidents, which may be 

 expected to fright the wild fowl from a quiet 

 haunt, where they mean to deep (during the day- 

 time) in fecurity. 



If thefe noifes or difturbances are wilful, it hath 

 been held, that an aftion will lye againfl the dis- 

 turber. 



As foon as the evening fets in, the decoy rifes 



(as 



