NATURAL HISTORY OF THE WILD DUCK. 



295 



same original. Pliny describes the flight of the wild 

 goose, its wonderful and harmony of accord ; and re- 

 marks, that, " unlike the cranes and the storks, which 

 journey in the obscurity of the night, the geese are 

 seen pursuing their route in broad day." 



The Wild Duck (Anas boschas, Linn.). Among 

 wild ducks the male is called the mallard, and the 

 young birds, flappers. In size it is not equal to the 

 tame duck. In plumage it differs but little from it. 

 Its bill is yellow; its neck is adorned with the 

 brightest grass green feathers, ending in a white 

 ring. The most apparent distinction between the wild 

 and tame species is, however, in the colour of the legs : 



