188 ANAS BOSCHAS. 



deep brown ; the chin and throat for about two inches, 

 plain yellowish white ; wings, bill, and legs, nearly as 

 in the male. 



The windpipe of the male has a bony labyrinth, or 

 bladder-like knob, puffing out from the left side. The 

 intestines measure six feet, and are as wide as those of 

 the canvass back. The windpipe is of uniform diameter 

 until it enters the labyrinth. 



This is the original stock of the common domesti- 

 cated duck, reclaimed, time immemorial, from a state 

 of nature, and now become so serviceable to man. In 

 many individuals, the general garb of the tame drake 

 seems to have undergone little or no alteration; but 

 the stamp of skvery is strongly imprinted in his dull 

 indifferent eye and grovelling gait, while the lofty look, 

 long tapering neck, and sprightly action of the former, 

 bespeak his native spirit and independence. 



The common wild duck is found in every fresh water 

 lake and river of the United States in winter, but seldom 

 frequents the sea shores or salt marshes. Their summer 

 residence is the north, the great nursery of this nume- 

 rous genus. Instances have been known of some solitary 

 pairs breeding here in autumn. In England tin ->e 

 instances are more common. The nest is usually placed 

 in the most solitary recesses of the marsh, or bog, amidst 

 coarse grass, reeds, and rushes, and generally contains 

 from twelve to sixteen eggs of a dull greenish white. 

 The young are led about by the mother in the same 

 manner as those of the tame duck, but with a superior 

 caution, a cunning and watchful vigilance peculiar to 

 her situation. The male attaches himself to one female, 

 as among other birds in their native state, and is tli<> 

 guardian and protector of her and her feeble brood. The 

 mallard is numerous in the rice fields of the Southern 

 States during winter, many of the fields being co\ 

 with a few inches of water; and, the scattered Drains >t 

 the former harvest lying in abundance, the ducks *wim 

 about and feed at pleasure. 



The flesh of the common wild duck is in general and 

 high estimation; and the ingenuity of man, in every 



