MALLARD DUCK, 29 



their affection is so strong that nothing but death sep- 

 arates them, — that even death itself does not alienate 

 theii' love, but that the balance of the year is passed by 

 the survivor in mourning for its lost love, and it chooses 

 no other mate. This is an argument frequently iised 

 by advocates of the abolishment of spring duck shoot- 

 ing. I have often dreamily sat in the bottom of my 

 boat, snugly in dry hay, hidden behind an improvised 

 blind, and watched a pair of these handsome ducks as 

 they drifted, floated or swam near me, entirely uncon- 

 scious of the fact that an enemy was near. It was al- 

 ways a pretty sight to me to see them, so careless, so 

 happy, feeding, chattering, or dreamily dozing within 

 close gun shot. They would be constantly near one 

 another and apparently at all times watchful lest they 

 should become separated. First the drake would swim 

 in advance, closely followed by his brown, yellow and 

 mottled companion ; then, the duck enticed to one side 

 by acorns dropping with a "ker-plump" into the water, 

 or sighting the tiny brown and red berries dropping into 

 the flowing stream, or seeds upon its surface, would 

 swim to them, thus temporarily deserting her lord and 

 master. But he was not willing to be deserted, and 

 would swim slowly after her retreating form, his hand- 

 some body combining so many beautiful colors, colors 

 of lead, chestnut, black, gray and glossy green, varying 

 in brilliancy and beauty as the sun's bright rays shone 

 so brightly on him, as it straggled through overhanging 

 trees. As the drake swims along nearing us, it seems 

 that in his dark eye we see glistening there the affec- 

 tionate love he has for his modest, dusky mate, and she, 

 in her haste for the tempting food, has not forgotten 

 her chosen mate, but turns her head of golden brown. 



