240 



ANIMALS IN MENAGERIES. 



The Blue-minged Duck. 



Boschas discors, Sw. ( Fiff, 36. ) 



Anas discors, Linn., Gmelin, i. 535. Wilson, viii. pi. 68. f. 4. 

 North. Zool. ii. Sarcelle Soucrourou, PL Enl. 866. male, 

 403. female. White-faced Duck, Arctic Zool ii. 503. 

 Lath. Gen. Syn. vi. 502. male. Blue-winged Teal, Lath. 

 Gen. Syn. vi. 503. 



The blue- winged duck is one of the smallest and 

 most elegant of the American freshwater ducks ; and 

 although we have no evidence of its having been in 

 any way domesticated, yet there is nothing in its history 

 to induce the belief that it would not thrive very well^ 

 if not propagate^ on our inclosed waters. Although 

 long known to naturalists, who had classed the sexes as 

 distinct species, we must have recourse to the celebrated 

 ornithologist of America, the immortal Wilson^ for all 

 that is interesting in its natural history. 



The blue-winged duck is the first of its tribe that 

 returns to the United States in the autumn, from its 

 breeding-place in the north. They are usually seen in 

 September, along the shores of the Delaware, sitting 

 on the mud close to the edge of the water, so crowded 

 together, that the gunners often kill great numbers at a 

 single shot. When a flock is discovered thus sitting 

 and sunning themselves, the experienced sportsman runs 

 his canoe ashore at some distance below or above them, 

 and getting out, pushes it before him over the slippery 

 m\iA, concealing himself all the time behind : by this 



