246 FKOFITS IN POULTRY. 



pools and secluded river and lake margins, close to 

 which it delights to make its nest and rear its young. 

 The engraving represents a beautiful bird, but one not, 

 familiar with these ducks would hardly credit the cor- 

 rectness of an accurate description of its colors. The 

 bill and legs are red, the dark feathers of the head ex- 

 hibit gorgeous steel-blue, coppery and green iridescence, 

 and in some lights are jetty, velvety black, or purple. 

 The white feathers on the head and neck, in the queue- 

 like tuft of the back of head, and on the shoulders, wing 

 covers and sides are all clear, vivid dashes in every case 

 contrasted with black bands or bordering of dark, nearly 

 black feathers. The back shows, the brilliant rainbow 

 hues and metallic colors of the head, while the breast is 

 of a delicate wine color, spotted with white, and the 

 belly white, shading into ash-color on the sides. These 

 colors belong to the drakes ; the ducks are similar, but 

 much less showy. In Pennsylvania and northward they 

 pair in April or May, and the female brings off her brood 

 of eight to fifteen in June. They migrate just before 

 winter sets in and are very likely to return to the same 

 locality. The flesh of the young birds are highly es- 

 teemed. Daring the winter they go into the Southern 

 States, and are there seen in large flocks. 



This duck has been repeatedly domesticated, so as to 

 be as familiar as any denizens of the farm yard. The 

 best way to get them is to find the nests, which are usu- 

 ally in a hollow tree not far from the water (they use 

 an old woodpecker's or gray squirrel's hole if they can 

 find one big enough), and transfer the fresh eggs to a 

 sitting hen, or else take the very young ducks as soon as 

 they are hatched. 



