66 ORNAMENTAL WATERFOWL. 
were purchased at an expenditure of £70. It is a native of 
Eastern Siberia, Japan and China, where it is considered a sym- 
bol of conjugal fidelity, being carried in marriage processions. 
A flock of such exquisite birds must be a wonderful sight when, 
according to Schrenck, they appear in the countries watered 
by the River Amoor about May, departing at the end of 
August, at which season they are extremely shy, and rarely 
come within gunshot. From July to September the Drake 
undergoes the change of plumage, when he closely resembles 
the female in appearance. Imported specimens as a rule are 
much more brilliant in colouring, with fuller crest and whiskers 
than the home-bred birds, these last almost’ invariably deterio- 
rating in those respects, a fact which holds good with most 
ducks imported from hot countries. It is necessary to exhibit 
the Mandarin in perfect condition and plumage, competition 
being excessively severe. To ensure this they should be shown 
in “hard” condition, a state which is best arrived at by feeding 
on wheat, buck-wheat, and a little hemp, and permitting the 
bird perfect liberty (within limits) on a small pond. It should 
be handled as little as possible, as the accidental loss of the 
wing-fan, tail, or crest, would destroy all hopes of a prize. 
Some animal food, such as shred liver or maggots, should 
be supplied where the birds are kept in confined spaces. Mr. 
J. W. Wick, in September, 1888, saw a Mandarin Drake pick 
up a dead field-mouse, and after shaking it into a pulp, swallow 
it whole, showing the natural craving for flesh-food in some 
form. 
These pretty little Teal breed freely in captivity, laying 
from twenty-five to thirty eggs yearly, in a round nest which the 
duck will line lavishly with the down from her breast, sometimes 
even plucking herself bare in her maternal solicitude. It will 
be noticed that on leaving her nest to feed, the Mandarin will 
