WILD DUCK. 



169 



NATATORES. 



ANATIDM. 



THE WILD DUCK. 



Anas boschus, Tlie Mallard, 

 Wild Duck, 



Common ,, 

 „ Wild „ 

 The Mallard, 



Penn. Brit. Zool. vol. il. p. 258. 



Mont. Ornith. Diet. 



Bewick, Brit. Birds, vol. ii. p. 342. 



Flem. Brit. An. p. 123. 



Selby, Brit. Ornitli. vol. ii. p. 305. 



Jenyns, Brit. Vert. p. 233. 

 Common Wild Dtick, Gould, Birds of Europe, pt. xvi. 

 Canard sauvage. Temm. Man. d'Ornith. vol. ii. p. 835. 



From the evidence of Pennant and others it appears cer- 

 tain that the Wild Duck was formerly much more numerous 

 in the British Islands than it is at present. To the progress 

 of draining, and the consequent extension of agriculture this 

 change may be greatly attributed, and though a few pairs of 

 this handsome and valuable species may still remain here to 



