102 SHOOTING IN CHINA 



and he shall discover countless com- 

 binations and permutations of the seven 

 primary colours, and such a variety of tints 

 as were never dreamt of in his philosophy. 

 The task, which after all should prove to be 

 a pleasure, would make such an indelible 

 impression upon the memory that he would 

 never be in doubt again as to the species of 

 the bird in question, and might possibly be 

 grateful for the hint here thrown out. 



For all practical purposes duck and teal 

 may be divided into two well defined and 

 clearly distinct classes, " the surface feeding 

 species, or those that never dive to obtain 

 food, further than they can reach without 

 entirely submerging their bodies, or the 

 diving ducks, or those that do dive to pro- 

 cure food from the bottom of the water." 

 (Badminton.) 



Of the eighteen varieties hereafter named 

 but five belong to the diving species. 



The Mallard (/^.nas boschas) from its fre- 

 quency and popularity may well head the 

 list of the surface feeding ducks. Head and 

 neck rich glossy green, perfect collar round 

 the neck, and short crisp curly tail feathers. 

 Weight 2 lbs to 2>^ lbs. There is also an- 

 other duck, locally known as the black or 



