THE DUCK. 



153 



whistle, on the sound of which the whole flock sets itself in 

 motion, waddling in regular order towards their boat. The 

 first Duck that enters is rewarded with some favourite food ; 

 the last is whipped as an idler : so that it is a comical sight to 

 see the last birds, as if knowing what will happen to the last 

 of all, making efforts to fly over the backs of others, and get 

 on board the boat in time to escape punishment. 



We should be surprised to see our domestic Ducks perch 

 amongst the branches of trees, adjacent to their roosting-places, 

 and there pass the night ; but though this seems impracticable 

 for our species, there are, nevertheless, many others of the wild 

 sort, that not only roost perching, but rear their young in 

 trees. Captain Cook was surprised to find the Whistling 

 Ducks doing so, near Endeavour River, in New Holland ; and 

 in various parts of the world similar nests are found in these 

 unexpected situations. 



In America the Sum- 

 mer Duck builds in 

 the hollows of trees, at 

 a considerable height 

 from the ground, from 

 which the young ones, 

 soon after they are 

 hatched, descend and 

 make the best of their 

 way to the water. The 

 Wood Ducks, also an 

 American species, are continually to be seen, during the breed- 

 ing season, flying between the upper parts of the Mississippi 

 and the woods where they build. Our common Wild Duck, 

 in a similar manner (though, according to the general habit of 

 those birds whose young leave the nest as soon as hatched, she 

 generally deposits her eggs upon the ground), at times departs 

 from this practice, and follows the example of the above foreign 

 [species. 



In Sussex, a nest was found in an oak-tree, five-and-twenty 

 ffeet from the ground ; the old bird was sitting upon nine eggs, 

 [supported by some small twigs, laid crossways. 



z 



The Summer Duck. 



