272 THE ADVENTURES OF 



beautiful red-plumaged creatures, we suddenly found our- 

 selves on the banks of a stream, running noiselessly over a 

 bed of white sand. 



"With as little delay as possible, a fire gave forth its ex- 

 hilarating flame. Butterflies, dragon-flies, and birds flut- 

 tered round the flowering shrubs. There was a perfect 

 concert of buzzing and twittering, and a gentle breeze ag- 

 itated the foliage and cooled the air. Nothing seemed 

 wanting for our comfort but game for our dinner. For- 

 tunately, Providence rarely does things by halves. We 

 had scarcely sat down to take breath, when a flock of wild- 

 ducks settled near us. They were at once saluted by a pla- 

 toon fire, and four victims strewed the ground and water 

 with their white, brown, and blue feathers. 



"These are the first aquatic birds we have met with," 

 said Sumichrast ; " it will not be long now before we are 

 among the marshes." 



" What birds are wild-ducks related to?" asked Lucien. 



" To swans and geese, Master Sunbeam," replied my 

 friend. " All the individuals of this order, as their name 

 palmipedes, or web-footed birds indicates, have their 

 toes united by a wide membrane. Ducks, many species 

 of which are found in Mexico, have a flat bill ; and their 

 short legs, placed so far behind, compel them to waddle in 

 walking, although they can swim with great facility." 



" How do they manage to perch on a tree with feet of 

 that kind ?" 



" With the exception of the wood-duck, this family never 

 perch ; they pass the day in dabbling in the water, and sleep 

 upon its surface, or among the reeds." 



" Then they must always be wet." 



" Not so ; nature has covered the feathers of web-footed 

 birds with an oily substance, which renders their plumage 

 quite water-proof. Ducks are gregarious, and migrate 



