CHAPTEE XII 



THE DUCK 



" T WILL begin with the wild duck, parent stock of 

 JL our domestic duck. It is a splendid bird, at least 

 the male, for the costume of the female is less rich, 

 as may be remarked in all the other species. The 

 head and upper part of the neck are emerald green, 

 with glints as of polished metal, while beneath is a 



white collar, its dull 

 coloring contrasting 

 with the brilliance of 

 the adjacent tints. A 

 brownish purple ex- 

 tends from the base of 

 the neck down over the 

 breast, where it gradu- 

 wild Duck ally fades into gray on 



the sides and stomach. Changeable green, mixed 

 with black, colors the region of the tail, whence rise 

 four small feathers curling in the shape of a crook. 

 In the middle of each wing a spot of magnificent 

 azure is encircled, first, with velvety blue, then with 

 white. The back, sides, and stomach are speckled 

 with black spots on a gray ground. Finally, the beak 

 is yellowish green, and the feet are orange. Such is 

 the duck in its wild state, and such it often is under 



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