( 302 ) 



with grayish-brown ; cheeks, loral space, and sides of the neck, 

 dusky gra y } streaked with black; throat reddish-brown; general 

 plumage dusky, lighter beneath ; under wing coverts white ; spe- 

 culum brilliant green ; bill yellowish ; feet reddish-orange. Fe- 

 male rather smaller, plumage lighter, speculum less brilliant. 

 Length of male about two feet, wing eleven inches. 



This species, better known to our gunners by the name of 

 " Black Duck," is peculiar to the American continent. In its habits 

 it is only partially migratory, although on the island in the summer 

 they are seldom seen, concealing themselves in the tall grass that 

 grows luxuriantly where they take up their abode. This may te 

 accounted for by their subsisting on roots and small shell-fish, so 

 abundant on the salt marshes, that during the season of incubation 

 and rearing their young, they are not obliged to leave their seclu- 

 ded residences in search of food. In selecting their summer resi- 

 dences, they so studiously avoid intrusion from man, that their nests 

 are seldom met with. A friend of mine residing on the south side 

 of Long Island, had, however the good fortune on the 19th of May, 

 1840, to find two nests, mide of coarse materials. One contained 

 seven, the other nine eggs, of a dullish white color. They were 

 placed under two hens. In a short time four of the former and se- 

 ven of the latter brought forth ducklings. They soon discovered 

 that their feet were intended fcr other purposes than scratching for 

 food. On entering the water, their foster-mothers would express 

 their astonishment by a loud "cackle," moving rapidly along the 

 bank of the creek, their eyes glistening with evident signs of fear 

 for the safety of their adopted brood. They soon forgot these kind- 

 ly admonitions, by making frequent excursions to the bay, giving 

 no evidence of a wish to return, as the trouble they gave in se- 

 curing them will testify. He was at last obliged to confine them in 

 a close pen. In this situation, they appeared very uneasy. While 

 thus confined, they refused corn* and all sorts of grain, but devour- 

 ed clams, or any kind of shell fish, greedily. In this way he kept 

 them until they were several weeks old, when he parted with them 

 to a friend who I am informed succeeded in domesticating them. 



* In their wild stale, they arc frequently bailed with corn, and other sorts of 

 grain. 



