THE MALLARD. 197 



It is not uncommon in some parts to meet with stray 

 birds in early spring; but whether these have passed the 

 winter in the neighbourhood where they are found, or 

 have simply returned from their winter migration earlier 

 than usual, I am not able to say. 



Unlike the tame duck, which is polygamous, the wild 

 one invariably pairs. They breed extensively in the 

 wilds of northern Canada, and on some of the smaller 

 and less known lakes and solitary streams are met with 

 in almost countless numbers, associating there, as else- 

 where, with pintail, blue-winged teal, and other members 

 of the family. They are also known to breed in less 

 remote parts of the country, though not to any extent. 



The nest, although generally placed on the ground, 

 is not invariably so, neither is it always in the vicinity 

 of water ; and the eggs, which are pale greenish, vary in 

 number from half-a-dozen to a dozen. During the 

 period of incubation the male assumes the plumage of 

 the female. 



The food of the wild duck is of various kinds : grass, 

 seeds, corn, small shell-fish, worms, young fry, slugs, and 

 insects all appear equally welcome. 



Duck shooting is much the same sport all the world 

 over, though there are some plans in Canada which 

 would not so well repay the trouble in this country, 

 where ducks are not to be seen in such immense flocks. 



