472 



THE MALLARD AND THE TEAL. 



The common Mallard, or Wild Duck, now comes before our no- 

 tice. 



This is by no means one of the least handsome of its tribe, the rich 

 glossy green of the head and neck, the snowy-white collar, and the vel- 

 vet black of the odd little curly feathers of the tail giviug it a bold and 

 striking appearance, which, but for its familiarity, would receive greater 

 admiration than it at present obtains. It is the stock from which has 

 descended our well-known domestic Duck, to which we are so much 

 indebted for its flesh and its eggs. 



In its wild state the Mallard arrives in this country about October, 

 assembling in large flocks, and is immediately persecuted in every way 

 that the ingenuity of man can devise. 



The nest of the Mallard is made of grass, lined and mixed with down, 



Ducks. 

 1. Long-tailed Duck. 2. Female. 3, Summer Duck. 4. Green-winged Teal. 5. Can- 

 vas-back Duck. 6. Red-headed Duck. 7. Mallard. 



and is almost always placed on the ground near water, and sheltered 

 by reeds, osiers, or other aquatic plants. Sometimes, however, the nest 

 is placed in a more inland spot, and it now and then happens that a 

 Duck of more than usual eccentricity builds her nest in a tree at some 

 elevation from the ground, so that, when her young are hatched, she is 

 driven to exert all her ingenuity in conveying them safely from their 

 lofty cradle to the ground or the water. Such a nest has been observed 

 in an oak tree twenty-five feet from the ground, and at Heath Wood, 

 near Chesterfield, one of these birds usurped possession of a deserted 

 crow's nest in an oak tree. Many similar instances are on record. 



The eggs of the Mallard are numerous, but variable, according to the 

 individual which lays them, some being far more prolific than others. 

 The eggs are rather large, and of a greenish white color. 



The pretty little Teal is the smallest and one of the most valuable 



