MALLARD. 237 



The Mallard, or Common Duck. 

 Boschas domestica, Sii\ 



Boschas major, Ray, Willughhy, Synop. 1.50. A. i. Anas 



domestica, Linn,, Auct. Anas boschas, Bonaparte, Syn. 

 S24. The Mallard, Pennant, Arct. Zool ii. 536 Wilson, 

 viii. pi. 60. f. 7. Canard sauvage, (Anas boschas) Temm. 

 Manuel, ii. 835. Stock Duck, Hudson's Bay Residents. 



The common mallard, or wild duck, the rasorial type 

 of the genus Anas, and that from which all the va. 

 rieties of our domestic races have sprung, is so well 

 known, that it would not have been introduced in this 

 volume, but for the object of giving greater currency 

 to the methods employed in America, where it is equally 

 common, for securing it; and the more especially, as the 

 same plan might be pursued with equal advantage in 

 the capture of other species under like circumstances. 

 For this information we are indebted to Wilson, who, 

 after giving a full account of the colours of the bird, 

 proving it to be identical with that of Europe, thus 

 proceeds : — 



'' The common wild duck is found in every freshwater 

 lake and river of the United States in winter ; but sel- 

 dom frequents the sea-shore or salt marshes. In summer, 

 they retire to the north ; although instances have been 

 known of some solitary pairs breeding in the United 

 States in autumn. The nest is usually placed in the 

 most solitary recesses of the marsh or bog, amidst the 

 grass or reeds ; and generally contains from twelve to 

 sixteen eggs, of a dull greenish white. The young are 

 led and protected in the same manner as by the tame 

 duck ; but with a superior caution, a cunning, and 

 watchful vigilance peculiar to her situation. The mal- 

 lard is numerous in the rice plantations of the southern 

 States during winter; and as many of the fields are 

 then inundated, and the scattered grains of rice from 

 the late harvest float upon the surface, the ducks swim 

 about and feed at pleasure." 



The American method of decoying wild ducks is not 



