WILD DUCK. 8 1 



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 

 instances, 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 materials; 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 and there throughout the 

 country all the year, and build. 



The eggs are usually eleven in number; sometimes 

 ten, and even twelve; 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 

 throughout the year, but the male leaves the female 



VOL. III. M 



