THE WILD DUCK. 81 



plentiful. Early in the winter of 1 842-43, they were likewise 

 so, and were seen coming in immense numbers every evening 

 from some inland lakes, to feed in the bay during the night. 

 First, a few small flocks appeared, then as many in broken 

 parties as would cover the fourth of a square mile, and, lastly, the 

 rear was brought up like the advanced posts, by a few small 

 flocks. In mid-winter they disappeared ; but in the severe weather 

 beginning in February, they were again most abundant — all 

 other species of ducks were scarce here that season. At the 

 breaking up of a frost, it is very interesting to walk along the 

 shores of the bay, and witness the ever-varying flights of the Ana- 

 tida. Among others, little flocks of wild ducks are so restless, as 

 to be constantly getting up from some quarter or other, and 

 sweeping through the air. 



I have remarked at the Falls ponds, how much these birds suffered 

 from frost, after it had been very intense for a few nights, and the 

 ground had been covered with snow. Several of them, after walking 

 two or three yards, would sit down, and, evidently from the cold- 

 ness of their legs and feet, draw them up into their plumage. 

 When warmed in this way, they would start again on foot, but not 

 go farther than before without sitting down and playing a similar 

 part : I witnessed this frequently, and, though pitying the poor 

 ducks, could not but be amused at the very slow progress which 

 they made. Birds wholly wild, would probably have taken flight 

 instead of walking. Those alluded to, which had the use of their 

 wings, were content to remain on the ponds (some of which 

 are small) during the day, but in the evening often flew to the 

 neighbouring feeding-grounds of the wild individuals of their 

 species, where they were sometimes killed by fowlers. 



I had annually, at the Falls, the opportunity of observing the 

 singular change of plumage which takes place in the mallard early 

 in summer, when, losing his brilliant colours and markings, 

 he becomes similar in garb to the duck. This change, which 

 has long been known to take place, is very particularly and 

 agreeably described by Mr. Waterton. Not only the mallard, 



VOL. III. o 



