204 MALLARD. 



the rice fields of the Southern States during winter, many of the fields being covered 

 with a few inches of water; and, the scattered grains of the former harvest lying in 

 abundance, the ducks swim about and feed at pleasure." 



We need hardly say that the Wild Duck is held in high estimation for the table; 

 and vast numbers are annually sent to the London and provincial markets from decoys 

 in different parts of the country. 



Wary and vigilant in its habits, the Mallard is not easily approached; but when a 

 flock is seen quietly rising from the water, it affords a very interesting sight to the 

 naturalist; this has been well described by Mr. Watters, in his "Birds of Ireland;" he 

 says, "Eising, when not alarmed, from the surface of the water in a 'long string,' reg- 

 ular in order, one never attempts to rise until the preceding bird is on the wing, 

 when they form a beautiful appearance, either in the long extended line, or the V 

 shape, which is frequently assumed. One flock of these birds observed flying over the 

 Pigeon House Wall, (Dublin Bay) at a very moderate distance from the road, exhibited 

 a A r ery beautiful sight; each bird seemed, from its closeness to the one preceding it, 

 as if its bill rested on the tail of the other. On our proximity being observed, the 

 effect was singularly fine, the entire flock without the slightest break, shooting upwards, 

 and the call-note of danger ringing out clearly from the first old Mallard, and passing 

 in regular succession along the line." 



During severe hard winters, large flocks of drakes may sometimes be observed, with- 

 out the admixture of any ducks; this fact is mentioned by Mr. Thompson, as observed 

 by him during severe frost in January, 1824. At other times birds of botli sexes Avill 

 be found associated together. 



In its wild state the Mallard is monogamous ; though, when domesticated, it is invariably 

 polygamous. 



The note is the well-known "quack, quack," as in our farm-yard bird. 



The food is somewhat miscellaneous; grain, seeds, potatoes, insects, worms, frogs, slugs, 

 and minute Crustacea. Mr. Thompson has recorded the following matters, as taken from 

 the stomach of a Mallard, killed at Larne Lough, in October, 1848. — "An eel, four 

 inches in length; a crab, (Carcinas mcenas,) an inch broad across the carapace, or shell, 

 and perfect; of marine univalve and bivalve shell-fish, one Lacuna quadrifasciata, two 

 Rissoa interrupta, four Rissoa albella? five Modiola discrepans, (fry;J about twenty of 

 the young of Littorina vulgaris, and L. retusa; forty Montacuta, (Mya,) purpurea; 

 three hundred and ninety-one Bidla obtusa, and four hundred and seventy-five Rissoa 

 alba; it contained also above four thousand five hundred of the handsomely-sculptured 

 seeds of the grass-wrack, (Zostera marina;) nor was this all, as fully one- tenth of the 

 matter, that which adhered to the coats of the stomach, was not taken into account." 

 Pretty well for any stomach not aldermanic. 



