THE MALLARD DUCK. 241 



lard is found in most parts of the country during the 

 winter season, except in the Eastern States. Audu- 

 bon says they " generally arrive in Kentucky and 

 other parts of the western country [from the north], 

 from the middle of September to the first of October, 

 or as soon as the acorns and beech-nuts are fully ripe 

 In a few days they are to be found in all the ponds 

 that are covered with seed-bearing grasses. Some 

 flocks, which appear to be guided by an experienced 

 leader, come directly down on the water with a rust- 

 ling sound of their wings, that can be compared only 

 to the noise produced by an Eagle in the act of stoop- 

 ing upon its prey; while other flocks, as if they felt 

 uneasy respecting the safety of the place, sweep 

 around and above it several times in perfect silence, 

 before they alight. In either case, the birds imme- 

 diately bathe themselves, beat their bodies with their 

 wings, dive by short plunges, and cut so many capers 

 that you might imagine them to be stark mad. They 

 wash themselves and arrange their dress, before com- 

 mencing their meal ; and in this, other travellers would 

 do well to imitate them. 



"Now, toward the grassy margins they advance in 

 straggling parties. See how they leap from the water 

 to bend the loaded tops of the tall reeds. Woe be 

 to the slug or snail that comes in their way. Some 

 are probing the mud beneath, and waging war against 

 the leech, frog, or lizard that is within reach of their 

 bills; while many of the older birds run into the 

 woods, to fill their crops with beech-nuts and acorns, 

 not disdaining to swallow also, should they come in 

 21 Q 



