THE COURTSHIP OF THE MALLARD 

 AND OTHER DUCKS. 



BY 

 H. WORMALD. 



By far the most interesting time of year in which to 

 watch the ducks is the breeding season, when the attitudes 

 assumed by the various species during courtship will 

 well repay a careful study. Mallards {Anas boscas) 

 seem to have five distinct postures in their spring 

 " show." The performance usually begins by four or 

 five drakes swimming round a duck with their heads 

 sunk, and their necks drawn back, and in this attitude 

 they have the appearance of being most unconcerned. 

 This I will call action No. 1 (see Fig. 1). After swimming 



FIG. 1. MALLARD DRAKE. COURTSHIP ACTION NO. L 



(Drawn by H. WorrnaM.) 



round in this fashion for some little time, the Mallards will 

 suddenly lower their bills so that the tips of them are 

 under the surface, and as they do so they stand up in the 

 water and then rapidly pass their bills up their breasts. 



