MALLARD. 561 



and the appearance of the land convinces them that they may return home 

 in safety. 



The Mallard is probably the most numerous species of Duck and the 

 most gregarious. Sometimes enormous flocks may be seen in winter on 

 the coasts, flying low over the water, especially about sunset, looking black 

 against the red sky as with rapid flight they hurry to their feeding-grounds. 

 These flocks consist principally of migratory Ducks from the cold north, 

 and Pintail and Wigeon are often found consorting with Mallards. The 

 flight of the latter species is very rapid and powerful, and each stroke of 

 its wings is distinctly audible even at some distance. When disturbed 

 from the water they soon get fairly on the wing and fly straight away, 

 slowly wheeling round if necessary so as to get up wind ; but as they rise 

 from the surface the direction of their flight forms a very small angle at 

 first with the plane of the water, and this is also the case as they alight. 

 As they approach the water, they skim with expanded wings, and drop feet 

 first perpendicular into it, with depressed tail and fluttering wings. If a 

 pair of Mallard are on the water the drake generally waits for the duck to 

 get up first. They do not dive in search of food, but they sometimes do so 

 in play, and frequently if wounded in the wing or if pursued by a Hawk. 

 The Mallard, in spite of the wonderful intelligence which it shows in its 

 habits, and in spite of the excellence of its flesh when brought to table, is 

 a great glutton. It may almost be said of this bird that it is omnivorous 

 and never satisfied. No kind of animal life, which is to be found in the 

 water comes amiss to it, and few water-plants are safe from its voracity 

 On the banks it eats the juicy ends of grass and the buds of other weeds. 

 In early morning or during the day, after a shower, it repairs to the pastures 

 to feed on the worms and slugs, or strays into the orchards to pick up fallen 

 fruit. In autumn it enters the forest to devour the acorns under the oaks, 

 or wanders over the stubble-fields to pick up the scattered grain. So eager 

 is it to satisfy its appetite, that it can scarcely find an opportunity to roost 

 during the day ; and at night most of its time is occupied in sifting the 

 mud on the banks of lakes and streams or on the sea-shore. To carry on 

 this process scarcely any light is required ; it may be heard feeding on very 

 dark nights; the selection of the food which remains after the mud has 

 been washed away through the lamellae with which the edges of its bill are 

 provided must be made entirely by feeling. 



The note of the Mallard, which experienced sportsmen say can be dis- 

 tinguished from that of the domesticated Duck, is too well known to need 

 description, but the quark of the female is louder if not so harsh as the 

 quork of the male. In the pairing-season the difference in the two notes 

 is much greater. The drake swims round and round the duck, answering 

 her feeble kah with a harsh suppressed r-rb, and when she yields to his 

 attentions uttering a low whistle. 



