296 



THE WILD DUCK. 



the wild duck's legs are black ; those of the tame one, 

 yellow. Those ducks which feed much in the sea- 

 water, and dive, have a broad bill bending upwards, 

 a large hind toe, and a long bluish tail ; those which 

 feed in plashes have bills narrower and straighter, 

 and a tail sharply pointed. A few of the wild duck 

 tribe, known to the sportsman as natives of our own 



European dominions, may be thus enumerated : 

 First, the Mallard : the Dun-bird, or Packard, with 

 the head and neck of a bright bay : the Widgeon, 

 with a bill of lead colour, and the back feathers 

 marked with narrow black and white wavy lines, and 

 well known by its whistling sound : the Black Duck, 

 or Scoter, or Black Diver (Anas nigra) : the Bur- 

 rough Duck, or Sheldrake : the Eider Duck (Anas 



