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THE MALLARD. 

 Anas B()scas, Linn^us. 



The Mallard, or Common Wild Duck, was formerly more numerous 

 in the British Islands than — owing to the progress of drainage and 

 the consequent extension of agriculture — it is at present; though still 

 by far the most abundant of our fresh-water species. In winter it is 

 partially or entirely absent from the northern districts and islands of 

 Scotland ; but, with this exception, it may be described as resident 

 during the year in suitable localities throughout the United King- 

 dom. The birds which breed with us are, however, few in pro- 

 portion to the numbers which annually arrive from the Continent 

 during the cold months ; and there are still places where decoys are 

 worked with profit, as shown by Sir R. Payne-Gallwey in his ' Book 

 of Duck Decoys ' (1S86), to which the reader is referred for the 

 latest information on this interesting subject. 



This species visits Greenland, and is abundant during the summer 

 in Iceland ; while it is generally distributed throughout Europe south 

 of the Arctic circle ; breeding in suitable localities down to the 

 Mediterranean, and also in Northern Africa. The range of the 

 migrants from the north extends to the Canaries, Madeira, and the 

 Azores, a few pairs remaining to nest in the last-named group. In 

 Asia it is found — wherever the water does not freeze for any length 



