MANDARIN TEAL. 63 



The morning following the loss of her husband 

 the female was seen in a most disconsolate con- 

 dition ; brooding in secret sorrow, she remained 

 in a retired part of the aviary, pondering over 

 the severe loss she had just sustained. 



Whilst she was thus delivering her soul to 

 grief, a gay, prim drake, who had not long before 

 lost his dear duck, which had been accidentally 

 killed, trimmed his beautiful feathers, and, ap- 

 pearing quite handsome, pitying the forlorn 

 condition of the bereaved, waddled towards 

 her ; and, after devoting much of his time 

 and all his attention to the unfortunate female, 

 he offered her his protection, and made a thou- 

 sand promises to treat her with more kindness 

 and attention than her dear, dear, lost drake ; 

 she, however, refused all his offers, having 

 made, in audible quacks, a solemn vow to live 

 and die a widow, if her mate did not return. 

 From the day she met with her loss, she 

 neglected her usual avocations ; her plumage 

 became ragged and dirty ; she was regardless of 

 her appearance ; forsook her food, and usual 

 scenes of delight, where she loved to roam with 

 him, now absent, and to excite his brave spirit 

 to drive away all the rivals that might attempt 

 even to approach them. But those fleeting hours 



