134 DUCKS. 



England ; breeds in extensive woods and lays two or three 

 eggs. Its colours are liable to considerable variations ; 

 but it is unnecessary to describe a bird so well known. 



The Buzzard is very sluggish and inactive, remaining 

 perched on the same bough for the greatest part of the 

 day, and always near the same place. It feeds on birds, 

 rabbits, moles, and mice ; and, when impelled by hunger, 

 will make a meal on frogs, earth-worms, or any sort of 

 insects. 



THE EIDER PUCK 



Is less than a Goose, being one foot ten inches in length. 

 The plumage is chiefly white ; the bill, top of the head, 

 under parts of the breast, tail, and quills, are black ; over 

 the latter hang the white scapulars, which are curved at 

 their extremities : the neck is on either side of a pale pea- 

 green, and the legs are of a dull green colour. The plu- 

 mage requires three years to bring it to perfection. The 

 female is of a reddish brown colour, marked with black. 

 The Eider Duck has been found in the highest latitudes 

 yet explored. It is frequent in the Hebrides and Ferroe 

 isles ; and in America comes as far south as New York. 

 The female lays four or five eggs, of a glossy pale green ; 

 these she deposits in a nest of the down plucked from her 

 own breast. The nest is plundered for the sake of the 

 down, which is the softest and warmest substance known. 

 The female will lay a second, and even a third time ; but 

 for the^hird nest is obliged to apply to the male for down. 

 The pairs are ve^ constant to the same building spot. 

 The Greenlanders kill them in the water with their darts : 

 their flesh is said to be much esteemed. They are supposed 

 to live to a great age, and become quite grey. 



THE MUSCOVY DUCK 



Is two feet in length. Its bill, legs, and a rough skin 

 about the eyes, are red ; the top and sides of the head 

 black ; the back and tail are of a glossy gold-green, except 

 the outer feathers of the latter, which are white; the 

 wings, too, are partly tipped with golden green ; the rest 

 of the body is white, varied on the throat and fore part of 



