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CHAPTER XXXV. 



DUCKS. 



We believe all naturalists are agreed that the whole of what may be called the "farm" breeds of 

 ducks, if not many of the others also, are descended from the Wild Duck or Mallard {Anas boschas), 

 which is distributed more widely than perhaps any other bird over the entire continent of Europe 

 and great part of North America. Indeed, its range may be stated to extend from the vicinity 

 of the pole in summer to almost the torrid zone in winter, migrating regularly towards the south on 

 the approach of cold weather, and returning with the summer to the more northern regions. In the 

 more southerly countries it is, however, a less frequent visitor, the temperate latitudes being its 

 favourite home ; but it has been known even to reach North Africa during its winter migrations. 

 Italy, Greece, and Spain are its most favourite winter quarters. 



The colour of the Wild Duck nearly resembles that of the Rouen, to which we may therefore 

 refer for more detailed description, so far as this point is concerned. The shape is, however, more 

 slender and upright, and the habits much more active, as shown in the very excellent representation 

 on the preceding page, which also most clearly shows the close resemblance in other points, as may 

 be seen by comparing it with the coloured plate of Rouens. But a singular change in the plumage 

 of the drake must be here noticed, and which is common also to the Rouen, and to most other 

 varieties of ducks in which the plumage of the male is greatly superior in beauty to that of the 

 female. It is thus described by Waterton : — 



" About the 24th of May the breast and back of the drake exhibit the first appearance of a 

 change of colour. In a few days after this the curled feathers above the tail drop out, and grey 

 feathers begin to appear amongst the lovely green plumage which surrounds the eyes. Every 

 succeeding day now begins marks of rapid change. By the 23rd of June scarcely one green feather 

 is to be seen on the head and neck of the bird. By the 6th of July eveiy feather of the former 

 brilliant plumage has disappeared, and the male has received a garb like that of the female, though 

 of a somewhat darker tint. In tlie early part of August this new plumage begins to drop off 

 gradually, and by the loth of October the drake will appear again in all his rich magnificence of 

 dress, than which scarcely anything throughout the whole wide field of nature can be seen more 

 lovely, or better arranged to charm the eye of man." The dates here given are, of course, subject to 

 some little variation, as Waterton observes, but much less so than many would suppose. 



Marshes and fens, as is well known, are the chief resorts of the Wild Duck ; and drainage and 

 other forms of cultivation have now driven it away from many an old favourite haunt where it 

 formerly was a regular and welcome visitant. To others, however, it still comes in large numbers, 

 and is taken by various species of decoys, or shot by hundreds, especially in Lincolnshire. About 

 March it pairs, the v.ild bird being strictly monogamous, and soon after begins to breed ; the duck 

 usually laying from seven to ten eggs, and making her nest of flags or sedges somewhere near the 

 water — if there be a small island it is eagerly taken advantage of As soon as the duck begins to 

 sit, Waterton says, the drake leaves her, and joining the others, begins the curious moult which we 



