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FAMILIAR WILD BIRDS. 



and varied with markings of darker brown. The young 

 males at first resemble the female, the pure white being 

 slowly assumed, and the complete adult plumage is 

 not acquired until after the first year. 



In the winter these ducks are remarkably shy and 

 wary, and it is only by carefully stalking that they can be 

 approached within gun-shot. In the breeding season, 

 however, when the eggs approach hatching, the females 

 will often allow themselves to be touched by the hand as 

 they sit on their eggs. 



