560 BRITISH BIRDS. 



is a corruption of male-canard ; but it has been used for a centurj' to desig- 

 nate the species of Duck which is most common in a domesticated state, 

 and may be appHed to both male and female. In precisely the same way 

 Avhen we speak of a Bean-Goose, we mean a definite species of Goose, 

 irrespective of sex. It would be absurdly pedantic to speak of a flock 

 composed of Bean-Geese and Bean-Ganders. 



Special interest attaches to the history of the Mallard, because it is the 

 species of Duck which from time immemorial has been domesticated 

 in our farmyards. Nevertheless it is the wildest of all wild Ducks. 

 Possibly the cause of the wildness of the Mallard may also be the reason 

 why it is more capable of domestication than its tamer congeners, namely, 

 its greater intelligence. If the Wild Duck does not possess reasoning 

 powers, but is merely guided by instinct, the only conclusion at which the 

 observant ornithologist can arrive is, that it is impossible to detect any 

 difference in the actions inspired by instinct from those dictated by reason. 

 No birds are more able to take care of themselves than Wild Ducks, and 

 few birds are more sought after, both on account of the excellent sport 

 they give in the field and the delicacy of their flavour on the table. Where 

 they are much shot at they become not only most shy but most sly. The 

 larger the sheet of water on which they happen to be, and the larger the 

 flock which is assembled upon it, the shyer they are. They seem to know 

 perfectly well that they are watched by their enemies, that small ponds are 

 not often visited by sportsmen, and that the sportsman is not likely to be 

 informed of their presence on the larger sheets of water unless they appear 

 in some numbers. They soon learn to distinguish a labourer from a keeper, 

 no doubt from his actions, and not from his appearance. They have ex- 

 cellent memories, as well as the keenest powers of observation. The only 

 way to get a shot is for the sportsman to hide himself; but he must not 

 choose the same spot day after day, the Ducks will soon find out that it is 

 dangerous, and go out of their way to avoid it. If not molested they will 

 breed year after year in the same corner; but if the eggs are taken they 

 will not have forgotten the fact a year hence, but will try another hiding- 

 place. Where the winters are not very severe the Mallard is a resident. 

 These birds have great powers of adaptation to circumstances ; they seem 

 to be well aware of the difficulty with which moving water freezes, and 

 when the ice begins to form on their favourite ponds, they delay the pro- 

 cess until the last moment by swimming constantly about and keeping the 

 surface always in motion. When the severity of the frost defeats this 

 artifice, they repair to springs and running streams, which they otherwise 

 seldom frequent, as they would be drifted away into danger whilst they 

 slept. Should the frost be so severe that even these become ice-bound, 

 they know perfectly well that the sea does not freeze ; they also know the 

 way to the nearest coast, and thither they migrate, until a thaw sets in 



