WATERFOWL 



different times been erroneously accepted 

 as distinct species and named accordingly* 



The wild duck's nest is usually placed on 

 the ground in some sheltered spot close to 

 still or running water, and the ducklings 

 swim like corks, soon learning the proper use 

 of their flat little bills in gobbling up floating 

 insects and other waterlogged food. Occa- 

 sionally ducks nest in trees and they have 

 been known to take possession of a deserted 

 rook's nest. There has been some discussion 

 as to whether, in this case, the mother conveys 

 her ducklings to the water in her bill, but 

 this has not actually been witnessed. In 

 cases where, as is often observed, the nest 

 overhangs the water, it has been suggested 

 that the young birds may simply be pushed 

 over the edge and allowed to parachute down 

 to the surface, as they might easily do with- 

 out risk. 



Tame ducks are among the most sociable 

 of birds and can even display bravery when 

 threatened by a common enemy. The natura- 

 list Houssay once learnt this as the result of 

 a somewhat cruel experiment that he made 

 in order to ascertain whether ducks invariably, 

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