WILD DUCK 



COMMON WILD DUCK MALLARD (THE MALE BIRD) 



PLATE CXCI. FIGURE II. 

 Anas boschaS) .... PENNANT. MONTAGU. 



THE nest of this species, constructed the latter end of 

 April, is placed, unless in a few rare exceptional in- 

 stances, on the ground in a dry place, often near, but on 

 the other hand not unfrequently at a distance from water ; 

 in some cases under a hedge, and in others in an open 

 field, or in a wood, but under shelter of some kind. It is 

 small in size, little more than six inches in the inner width, 

 and regularly formed of dry grass or other vegetable mate- 

 rials ; the lining being down, to the thickness of between two 

 and three inches. 



The greater number of these birds go north to breed ; 

 but not a few remain here all the year, and build. 



The eggs are eight to twelve in number ; and as many 

 as fifteen are said to have been found in one nest. They 

 are smooth, and of a very pale green colour. 



The old birds are supposed to remain in pairs through- 

 out the year, but the male leaves the female as soon as 

 she begins to sit. The hen covers the eggs with down 

 and other substances when she leaves the nest. 



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