

WILD DUCK. 271 



These birds feed on grain, or seeds, worms, slugs, insects, 

 and small fish. As soon as the females begin to sit the 

 males leave them, and soon after undergo that remarkable 

 change in the colour of their plumage, which has already 

 been referred to in the males of several species, belonging 

 to this division of this extensive family. 



The change in the Mallard is thus characteristically de- 

 scribed by Mr. Waterton from personal observation. 



" At the close of the breeding season the Drake under- 

 goes a very remarkable change of plumage ; on viewing it, 

 all speculation on the part of the ornithologist is utterly con- 

 founded ; for there is not the smallest clue afforded him, 

 by which he may be enabled to trace out the cause of this 

 strange phenomenon. To Him alone, who has ordered the 

 Ostrich to remain on the earth, and allowed the Bat to 

 range through the ethereal vault of heaven, is known why 

 the Drake, for a very short period of the year, should be 

 so completely clothed in the raiment of the female, that it 

 requires a keen and penetrating eye to distinguish one 

 from the other. About the 24th of May, the breast and 

 back of the Drake exhibit the first appearance of a change 

 of colour. In a few days after this, the curled feathers 

 above the tail drop out, and grey feathers begin to appear 

 amongst the lovely green plumage which surrounds the 

 eyes. Every succeeding day now brings marks of rapid 

 change. By the 2Srd of June scarcely one single green 

 feather is to be seen on the head and neck of the bird. By 

 the 6th of July every feather of the former brilliant 

 plumage has disappeared, and the male has received a garb 

 like that of the female, though of a somewhat darker tint. 

 In the early part of August this new plumage begins to 

 drop off gradually, and by the 10th of October the Drake 

 will appear again in all his rich magnificence of dress; 



