230 DUCKS, GEESE, SWANS, AND PELICANS. 



white belly, speckled feathers, black, with glittering green on the 

 middle wing, with a white transverse ring on either side." 



According to Mr. YarreU, the first division of Ducks com- 

 prises the Wild Duck, Shieldrake, Muscovy Duck, Gadwall, Sho- 

 veller, Pintail, Widgeon, Bimaculated Duck, Garganey, and Teals, 

 all of which exhibit length of neck, wings reaching to the end 

 of the tail, tarsi somewhat round, hind toe free or without pendent 

 lobe. They generally frequent fresh water, but pass much of their 

 time on land, feeding on aquatic plants, insects, worms, and some- 

 times fish. The second division includes the Red Crested Duck, 

 Poachard, Ferruginous Duck, Scaup, Tufted Duck, Harlequin 

 Duck, Long-tailed Duck, and Golden Eye ; while between the two 

 divisions he places, as possessing some of the characters of each, 

 the Eider Duck, King Duck, Velvet Duck, and Scoter. 



McGillivray accepts this arrangement, with some slight varia- 

 tions, remarking that the differences as to habits, as well as struc- 

 ture, are quite obvious ; and he gives us a graphic description of 

 the three types. " High in air," he says, " advancing on gently- 

 arched and outspread wings, that winnow a passage for them over 

 the far-spreading sea, is seen advancing from the north a flock 

 of large birds, that are observed, as they draw nearer, to be arranged 

 in lines ever undulating and changing figure ; while their clear 

 cries seem to express their joy at having escaped the dangers of 

 their long passage over the waste of waters. Now they descend, 

 mingle their ranks, wheel in dislocated bands, unite, sweep along, 

 and, clamorous in their joj^^ at length alight on the open pasture. 

 Having rested awhile and plumed themselves, thej' begin to move 

 about in search of food, walking sedately and with decurrent necks, 

 stretching their strong bills to the ground, from which they wrench 

 the roots of the grasses, and pluck the herbage. Prudent, how- 

 ever, as they well need be in an vmexplored tract, and careful of 

 their safety, they neither scatter about at random nor leave them- 

 selves subject to surprise. Should a suspicious object present 

 itself, one of them presently erects himself and emits a warning 

 cry, on hearing which they all rise together, raise their necks to 

 their full stretch, and carefullj^ inspect the ground. Should the 

 danger be imminent, they rmr a few paces forward, spread out 

 their large wings, ascend into the air, and betake themselves to 



