200 



of Natural 



cold-blooded, and partaking of the nature 

 of fish. The PIED Di'CK (Anas Labradoria) ; 

 a beautiful and rare species, peculiar to 

 America. CHINESE DUCK (Anas galcricit- 

 lata) ; a remarkable bird somewhat less than 

 a widgeon. The SUMMER or WOOD DUCK 

 (Aix sponsa) ; not more remarkable for its 



SUMMER DUCK. (AIX 8PONSA.) 



great beauty, in which it stands pre-eminent, 

 than for its habits, its migrations being di- 

 rectly opposed to those of the other species. 

 AUTUMNAL DUCK (Anas autumnalis) ; native 

 of the West India islands and South Ame- 

 rica, where the inhabitants frequently keep 

 them in the farm-yards. TREE DUCK, or 

 WHISTLING DUCK, (Anas arboreal ; this 

 also is an inhabitant of the West India 

 islands and the adjacent continent of Ame- 

 rica. We learn from Mr. Gosse's " Birds of 

 Jamaica," that its singular whistling note 

 is peculiarly shrill, and is uttered in its cre- 

 puscular flights to and from its feeding 

 places, and also when it is alarmed. He 

 also says these birds are much dreaded by 

 those who plant Guinea-corn ; and that 

 " numerous flocks of both young and old 

 birds frequent the millet-fields from Decem- 

 ber till the end of February, when this corn 

 is reaped. They are most busy in their 

 depredations on moonlight nights ; and as 

 they sweep round in circles, their remark- 

 able whistle always betrays their move- 

 ments." Another remarkable peculiarity is 

 thus recorded: "The Whistling Duck en- 

 deavours to save her young, when pursued, 

 by throwing herself into the man's way ; 

 that is, by rushing up so close to him as to 

 draw his attention, that her young, who are 

 very active, may have an opportunity of 

 escaping. Accordingly, the man, seeing the 

 duck so near him, looking upon her as a 

 much better prize than the young ones, 

 leaves pursuing the ducklings, and endea- 

 vours to catch the subtil dame, who runs 

 before, but takes special care to keep out of 

 his reach ; yet stopping in front of him oc- 

 casionally, to make him renew the pursuit, 

 till the young are entirely out of danger ; 

 when she flies away, leaving her pursuer to 

 fret at his double disappointment." LONG- 

 TAILED DUCK (Harelda glacialis) ; remark- 

 able for the long and slender feathers of its 

 tail. This Duck is very generally known 

 along the shores of the Chesapeake Bay 

 by the name of the South-southerly, from 

 the singularity of its cry, something imi- 

 tative of the sound of those words ; and 

 also, that, when very clamorous, they are 

 supposed to betoken a southerly wind. They 

 inhabit the bays and coasts of North Ame- 



rica during the winter only ; are rarely 

 found in the marshes, but keep in the chan- 

 nel, diving for small shell-fish, which are 

 their principal food. In passing to and from 

 the bays, sometimes in vast flocks, particu- 

 larly towards evening, their loud and con- 

 fused noise may be heard in calm weather at 

 the distance of several miles. They fly very 

 swiftly, take short excursions, and are lively 

 restless birds. Their native regions are in 

 the north, where great numbers of them re- 

 main during the whole year ; part only of 

 the vast family migrating south to avoid the 

 severest rigours of that climate. They are 

 common to the whole northern hemisphere. 

 In the Orkneys they are met with in con- 

 siderable flocks from October to April ; 

 frequent in Sweden, Lapland, and Russia ; 

 and are said to breed at Hudson's Bay, 

 making their nest among the grass near the 

 sea, like the eider duck, and about the middle 

 of June lay from ten to fourteen bluish- white 



eggs, the size of those of a pullet. When the 

 young are hatched, the mother carries them 

 to the water in her bill. The nest is lined 

 with the down of her breast, which is ac- 

 counted equally valuable with that of the 

 eider duck, were it to be had in the same 

 quantity. They come to England only in 

 very severe winters, and then but in small 

 straggling parties. TUFTED DUCK (Anas 

 cristata), found in the arctic regions of both 

 continents, and migrating to southern coun- 

 tries in the winter : on the top of the head is 

 a crest consisting of long and slender feathers, 

 which, with the head, neck, and breast, are 

 black, glossed with violet and green. PINTAIL 

 DUCK (Dafila acuta) ; remarkable for the 

 pointed form of its tail: it is abundant in both 

 hemispheres. The NILOTIC MUSK DUCK 

 (Anas Nilotic) ; between the size of the 

 Pintail Duck and the Goose, but stands 

 higher on its legs. It inhabits the Nile, in 

 Upper Egypt ; is easily tamed, and lives 

 among other domestic poultry. GREY- 

 HEADED DUCK (Somateria spectaUlis) ; with 

 red bill, legs, and feet : native of Hudson's 

 Bay. The GREAT BLACK DUCK (Oidemia 

 perspicittatci) ; a species considerably larger 

 than the common Duck. STELLATED DUCK; 

 a species distinguished by its eyes, which are 

 placed higher than usual in an oval black 

 spot ; but its principal characteristic is a 

 large white star on its back. The MADA- 

 GASCAR DUCK ; a large and brilliantly- 

 coloured species : the bill of a yellowish- 

 brown colour ; the head and neck of a dusky 

 green ; and the back is of a deep purple : 



