388 



Birds. 



in large flocks to more southern countries; and their 

 clang is heard from the regions of the clouds, although 

 the birds are out of sight. 



THE DUCK. (Anas loschas.) 



THE COMMON DUCK is of two kinds, the wild and the 

 tame, the latter being but the same species altered by 

 domestication ; the difference between them is very 

 trifling, save that the colour of the Mallard, or male 

 wild Duck, is constantly the same in all the individuals, 

 whereas the Drakes, or tame ones, are varied in their 

 plumage. The females do not share with the males in 

 beauty of plumage : the admirable scarf of glossy green 

 and blue, which surrounds the neck of Drakes and Mal- 

 lards, being an exclusive prerogative of the male sex. 

 There is also a curious and invariable peculiarity be- 

 longing to the males, which consists of a few curled 

 feathers rising upon the rump. 



