NATATORES. 



419 



soft ; rhunkos, a bill,) found in Australia, has a very peculiar 

 bill, the edge of the upper mandible having on it a thin mem- 

 brane or skin, which hangs down like a wattle on each side. 



The TAME DUCK, (from A. boschas,) is nearly omnivorous in 

 its indiscriminate appetite and its voracity. In the natural state 

 the Duck is a little more particular in its diet. 



The GREEN WINGED TEAL, A. Carolinensis, is during the 

 autumn and winter, common in all our fresh water lakes and 

 ponds ; its flesh is very well tasted. Length fourteen inches. 



The PIN-TAIL DUCK, A. acuta, (Lat. sharp,) affords similar 

 food to the preceding. It is about two feet long. This Duck is 

 particularly abundant on the shores of Lake Ontario; ranging, 

 however, during winter and spring, across this Continent; and 

 breeding in high northern latitudes. 



The BLACK DUCK, A. obscura, (Lat. obscure or dark,) breeds 

 from Texas to Labrador. Its length is about two feet. Few 

 Ducks are more highly prized than this species. 



The AMERICAN WIDGEON or BALD-PATE, A. Americana, is 

 very generally distributed. It feeds chiefly on aquatic vegeta 

 bles, and is esteemed for its delicate flavor. Length from 

 eighteen to twenty inches. The Widgeon of the Eastern Conti 

 nent, A. Penelope, is also found in this hemisphere. 



SUB-FAMILY FuHgilina, (from Lat./wZ/go, soot.) SEA-DUCKS. 



The Sea-Ducks include four genera, with a variety of species. 

 They principally frequent the sea ; but many of them are to be 

 found in the fresh water lakes and rivers, where the water is 

 deep. Their plumage is very close and thick, in comparison 

 with that of the True Ducks, (Anas,) and the covering of the 

 female differs much in hue from that of the male. The Sea- 

 Ducks are not good walkers, though they can run or shuffle 

 along rapidly. They swim remarkably well, but low in the 

 water, and excel in diving, on which they rely when in danger, 

 more than on their power of wing. Usually, they fly low, labori 

 ously, and with a whistling sound. They are mostly found at 

 the north ; but some species are spread over the entire globe. 

 Large flocks migrate periodically, chiefly on the line of the sea- 

 coast,flying and feeding generally by night. They often make 

 their nests near fresh water; both parents, in several of the spe 

 cies, strip off their down as a covering for their numerous eggs. 



The genus Somateria, (Gr. soma, body ; eria, wool, or teiro, 

 to wear away,) includes Ducks which are peculiarly marine; 

 according to Sir John Richardson, never found in fresh water. 



