THE WILD DUCK 



(Anas boschas) 



Man's triumphs over the wilds, his agricultural improve- 

 ments, his drainage, and his railways, have robbed many a 

 shy and handsome bird of its home ; and undoubtedly to this 

 cause must we attribute the Wild Duck's comparative rarity 

 now, compared with the times, even within the memory of 

 living mau, when it was perhaps the commonest and most 

 widespread species of waterfowl to be met with in this country. 

 The glory of most of the decoys has departed — they have seen 

 their best days ; farms and broad acres have taken the place 

 of lakes and marshes, and, like wrecks high and dry upon the 

 beach, these decoys are the sole surviving monument to the 

 Wild Duck's former abundance. It has deserted many of its old 

 familiar haunts, and none but the naturalist regrets the change. 

 Marsh after marsh and mere after mere have disappeared, 

 and with their drainage the wild birds have departed to 

 wilder and more secluded scenes. In spite of all, however, 

 the Wild Duck is still far from being a rare bird, and its 

 habits may be studied in many localities which still retain 

 their primeval charm. Its haunts are varied ones, but they 

 change a good deal with the revolving seasons, and embrace 

 almost every description of scenery. You may find him on 

 the fenny lands and marshes of the low-lying districts, the 

 scattered reed-encircled pools on the upland moors, the moun- 

 tain-lakes, and the sequestered fish-ponds and ornamental 



