THE TAME DUCK. 469 



green. Not only the neck and back, but the larger feathers 

 of the tail and wings are gilt with metallic green ; the female 

 also exhibits slight traces of the same decoration. On a sun- 

 shiny day of spring, the effect of these glittering Black Ducks 

 sporting on the blue water is very pleasing, especially if in 

 company with a party of the Decoy breed in strictly Mallard 

 plumage. 



A peculiarity of these Black East Indian Ducks is, that they 

 occasionally that is, at the commencement of the season lay 

 black Eggs; the colour of those subsequently laid, gradually 

 fades to that of the common kinds. This strange appearance 

 is not caused by any internal stain penetrating the whole 

 thickness of the shell, but by an oily pigment, which may be 

 scraped off with the nail. They lay, perhaps, a little later 

 than other ducks, but are not more difficult to rear. Their 

 voice is said to differ slightly a fact I have not observed : but 

 they are far superior to others in having a high wild-duck 

 flavour, and, if well kept, are in just repute as being excellent 

 food when killed immediately from the pond, without any 

 fatting. My attention was first called to them by a friend and 

 neighbour, to whom I am indebted, not only for the informa- 

 tion, but for handsome specimens. 



The time of incubation of the Tame Duck is thirty days.* 



* Does the Mallard differ in this respect from the Tame Duck ? I 

 think not. But, according to Audubon, "at length, in about three 

 weeks, the young (of the former) begin to cheep in the shell." Did 

 we not know his usual great accuracy, we should suspect some error, 

 and also be startled at the subjoined statement. " The squatters of 

 the Mississippi raise a considerable number of Mallards, which they 

 catch when quite young, and which, after the first year, are as tame 

 as they can wish. These birds raise broods which are superior even to 

 those of the old ones, for a year or two, after which they become similar to 

 the ordinary Ducks of the poultry-yard. The hybrids produced be- 

 tween the Mallard and the Muscovy Duck are of great size, and af- 



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