366 BRITISH BIRDS. 



Ducks (Anatinje). 



The Ducks, of which there are a great number of genera, are 

 sometimes provided with a very narrow membranous lobe to 

 the fourth toe. The legs are short, and placed behind the 

 middle of the body ; the bill is about the same width all along, 

 or may be broadened at the tip. The nostrils are small and 

 near the base in the true Ducks (Anas), and large in the Shel- 

 drakes [Tadorna). The period of incubation in ducks is about 

 a month, always longer than in the fowl. 



Here are included the Common Sheldrake {Tadorna Bellonii), 

 one of our largest and handsomest ducks ; the Teal [Anas 

 crecca) ; the Widgeon {A. ixnelope) ; the WUd Duck {A. boschas), 

 &c. The last only needs claim our attention. 



The Wild Duck {Anas boschas). — The mallard or wUd duck 

 is found generally throughout Great Britain, and breeds 

 wherever there are swamps and water. The term " mallard " is 

 properly applied to the " drake " only, " wild duck " to both 

 sexes. The winter plumage of the drake is, as every one must 

 have noticed, very diiferent from the duck. This winter 

 plumage is seen from October to May ; but in the summer, 

 when both sexes moult, the drake assumes the plumage of the 

 duck. The young ducklings also appear in the same garb in 

 both sexes. One notices a similar change in many domestic 

 ducks, especially Eouens and others that assimilate to the wUd 

 ducks or their ancestral plumage. Anas boschas is found all 

 over the Northern Hemisphere. In England it remains through- 

 out the year ; but in winter its numbers increase, owing to large 

 enforcements coming from the North as the cold approaches. 

 The nests are built in all manner of places — on the ground, 

 amongst reeds, grass, and on the top of trees. The young can 

 feed at once, but are unable to fly until nine or ten weeks old. 

 The ducklings feed upon tadpoles, water-insects, and small 

 grubs. The old birds feed upon a variety of substances — 

 water-plants, land -plants, oats, and grain generally, fish and 



