250 STORIES ABOUT BIRDS. 



we have been speaking, and that is so ornamental on our lakes and rivers. 

 The name of " whistling " is well bestowed upon it, for it sings as it flies, and 

 the melodious notes of its song are heard at a great distance. It is a native 

 of the colder latitudes of the North and South Seas, and during the winter 

 months only pays a visit to this country ; to the Orkney Islands and the 

 Hebrides it comes in flocks, and great numbers are shot, and taken to market 

 for sale. 



Occasionally one has been caught alive, and will live in harmony with 

 the ducks and geese of the farmyard. 



The black-necked swan has more of the movements of the goose than of 

 the swan. It is a native of South America, and travels to the lakes in the 

 interior to rear its brood. 



The black swan is an Australian bird, and lives in large flocks upon the 

 rivers and lagoons of certain districts. The white man is driving it before 

 him, and hunts it down without mercy. These birds can be kept in England, 

 and have been known to rear their young when snow was on the ground, 

 during the greatest cold of winter. 



THE DUCK 



The duck in a wild state is found in Europe, Asia, and America. In summer 

 it frequents the lakes and marshes of the north, and in the winter betakes 

 itself south to more temperate climes. In the British Isles many remain in 

 the marshy districts all the year round. 



The duck is strictly a fresh-water bird, and it is to lakes and ponds thickly 

 covered with sedges and water plants that it generally resorts, although it is 

 occasionally met with on the sea-coast. 



Wild ducks are very gluttonous. They seem, indeed, to be always 

 famishing with hunger, and devour everything that comes within their reach — 

 animal and vegetable — and they are very fond of small fish. They begin to- 

 pair about March, and construct their nests in dry retired spots, under bushes 

 or concealed herbage, near the water. The period of incubation varies from 



