220 THE SHELDUCK AND SURFACE-FEEDING DUCKS 



neck drawn backwards, and the feet thrust forwards so that on reach- 

 ing the water they plough along its surface for some few feet before 

 coming to rest. Occasionally, apparently when under the spell of 

 pleasurable excitement, mallard will perform aerial evolutions like 

 those of teal, turning and twisting, and plunging downwards, then 

 rising in a great sweep and circling round, and finally descending, one 

 after another, on to the water. But compared with their smaller 

 relatives they are but indifferent performers. 



The mallard rarely dives, save when in the " flapper " stage or in 

 extreme danger. On occasion, Mr. J. G. Millais remarks, 1 an adult 

 will pursue a fish under water. When greatly alarmed, as when being 

 fired at from several points, I have seen them suddenly descend to 

 the water and submerge the body till only the head and the highest 

 point of the back are with difficulty discernible ; and all the while the 

 body is slowly thrust forward towards the cover of the reeds, by the 

 paddling action of the feet. Usually, when feeding afloat, the fore- 

 part of the body is submerged, so that the hinder half points directly 

 skywards, this position being maintained by action of the feet ; and 

 when in very shallow water they will execute a kind of dance on the 

 mud, evidently for the purpose of stirring up worms and other 

 organisms. Gulls and plovers practise a similar device. 



The most interesting period in the life-history of the mallard, as 

 with nearly all birds, is the reproductive period. And on this aspect 

 some valuable information has been gleaned by Mr. J. G. Millais and 

 Mr. Hugh Wormald. Mr. Millais' observations show that at times the 

 ardour of the male flags, and on such occasions the female makes 

 advances. Sometimes even as many as three females will court the 

 same male, swimming alongside and round and round him, uttering 

 the while a curious guttural sound, and dipping their bills in quick 

 succession from left to right. Commonly, he carries his head high, as 

 if unaware of these blandishments. Then one or other lowers herself 

 in the water till half submerged, when pairing almost invariably takes 



1 The Natural History of the British Surface-Feeding Durks, p. 3. 



