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THE SCAUP DUCK. 



Anas marila, LINNJKUS ; Le Milloninan, BUFFON ; Der Bergcnte, BECHSFKIN. 



THIS species, like the former, passes in autumn from the 

 north to the south. They are caught and shot among the 

 common wild ducks. The scaup duck may he tamed so far 

 as to remain sociahly among the domestic ones, will eat bread 

 soaked in water, oats, and barley ; in short, all that is given 

 to common ducks. Tts size also is similar, but it is black, 

 with the belly and speculum white ; five black transverse lines 

 unite on the white ground of the upper part of the body ; the 

 wings and tail are dusky. 



THE MALLARD. 



Anas Boschas fera, LiNN.r.rs ; Le Cancel sauvage, BUKFON ; Per vilde Ente 

 BECHSTEIN. 



OUR domestic ducks derive their origin from this species. 

 It is spread throughout Europe on lakes, ponds, and rivers 

 Its length is two feet; its plumage ash grey, striped and 

 waved transversely with white and brown ; the head and neck 

 are bright green, known by the name of duck-green ; the 

 breast is chestnut brown ; the speculum violet green. The 

 female is brown, like a lark. 



OBSERVATIONS Like other birds of the same order, the wild ducks 



unite in large flights in the autumn, but divide into pairs in summer, and 

 build their nests either near the water, among the reeds and bushes, in 

 the trunks of old trees, or sometimes even in the depths of woods. They 

 la}- from twelve to sixteen eggs. In the forest districts of Thuringia, 

 the younc ones are met with in considerable numbers, being led to a 

 neighbouring pond by the parent birds. If, after having mutilated or 

 lamed the end of the wing, they are put into a pond with domestic ducks, 

 they live and pair with them, become accustomed to their mode of life, 

 follow them in winter into the hone, without any decoy but being fed 

 plentifully. Wild ducks are taken in nets, snares, and even with 

 fishing-hooks. 



By pairing a mallard with a female domesMc duck, a very tine middle 

 race is obtained, which remains domestic*. 



* A great many mallards are half domesticated on the water in St. Jam,' 

 Park. London, and other similar places in England. TRANLATOK. 



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