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C aM h 



ANAS BOSCHAS. MALLARD, OR WILD DRAKE. 



This widely disseminated Duck is known in almost every 

 habitable part of the globe, and its flesh is alike esteemed in all 

 parts; and wherever it makes its appearance, Sportsmen resort 

 to all kinds of expedients to secure it. At a glance, it will be 

 seen that the Wild Drake is the original stock from which is 

 sprung the Puddle Duck of* our barnyards, as they differ but 

 little in plumage and general form. The wild Bird, however, 

 is a much more noble-looking Fowl than those of the same race 

 that have been enslaved by man; and instead of the sill}'-, dis- 

 cordant quach! quack! quack! lazy waddle, and inactive life, 

 and singular propensity for dabbling in the filthy oozes of the 

 stable-yard, common to our domestic Duck, they pursue a cun- 

 ning, silent, active, and free life. 



DESCRIPTION. 



" The Mallard, or Common Wild-Drake, is so universally 

 known as scarcely to require a description. It measures twenty- 

 four inches in length, by three feet in extent, and weighs up- 



