36 ANAS BOSCHAS. 



sight that tlie Malhird obtains its food, the night appears to 

 be as favourable for this purpose as the day, and is chiefly 

 used in populous districts, while in the wilder parts it feeds 

 at least as much by day. Marshy places, the margins of 

 lakes, pools, and rivers, as well as brooks, rills, and ditches, 

 are its principal places of resort at all seasons. It walks with 

 ease, even runs with considerable speed, swims, and on occa- 

 sion dives, although not in search of food. Seeds of graminese 

 and other plants, fleshy and fibrous roots, worms, mollusca, 

 insects, small reptiles, and fishes, are the principal objects of 

 its search. In shallow water, it reaches the bottom with its 

 bill, keeping the hind part of the body erect by a continued 

 motion of the feet. On the water it sits rather lightly, with 

 the tail considerably inclined upwards ; when searching under 

 the surface it keeps the tail flat on the water ; and when 

 puddling at the bottom with its hind part up, it directs the 

 tail backward. The male emits a low and rather soft cry 

 between a croak and a murmur, and the female a louder and 

 clearer jabber. Both on being alarmed, and especially in 

 flying ofl", quack ; but the quack of tlie female is much louder. 

 When feeding, they are silent ; but when satiated they often 

 amuse themselves Avith various jabberings, swim about, ap- 

 proach each other, move their heads backward and forward, 

 " duck " in the Avater, throwing it up over their backs, shoot 

 along its surface, half-flying half-running, and, in short, are 

 quite playful when in good humour. On being surprised or 

 alarmed, Avhether on shore or on the water, they spring up at 

 once Avith a bound, rise obliquely to a considerable height, and 

 fly off" Avith speed, their hard-quilled Avings aa histling against 

 the air. When in full flight, their velocity is very great, 

 being probably a hundred miles in the hour. Like other 

 ducks they impel themselves by quickly repeated flaps, Avithout 

 sailings or undulations. 



In March they pair, and soon after disperse and select a 

 breeding-place. The nest, bulky, and rudely constructed of 

 flags, sedges, grasses, and other plants, is placed on the ground 

 in the midst of a marsh, or among reeds or rushes, sometimes 

 in a meadoAV, or even among heath, but ahvays near the 

 water. Instances are recorded of its being built in the fork 



