352 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



Black Ducky being the most common, and most numerous of all those 

 of its tribe that frequent the salt marshes. Their principal food, on 

 the coast, consists of those minute snail shells, so abundant in the 

 marshes. In our fresh water marshes, where they likewise abound, 

 they feed upon the roots and seeds of the aquatic plants and insects. 

 The Black Ducks of the coast are generally fatter than those which 

 frequent our fresh water rivers ; but the flesh of the latter is in greater 

 esteem, in consequence of its being free from that sedgy taste which 

 is so remarkable in the former. Their voice resembles that of the 

 Mallard ; but their meat is greatly interior. 



Mallard, This is the original stock of the common domesticated 

 Duck, reclaimed immemoriaily from a state of nature, and now be- 

 come so serviceable to man. It is found in every fresh water lake and 

 river of the United States in winter; but seldom frequents the sea 

 shores or salt marshes. The Mallard is an excellent bird. 



Muscovy Duck. It was to America that the Europeans were in- 

 debted for this noble Duck, which is in such great esteem for the ta- 

 ble. Its domesticated descendants are scattered over those parts of 

 the world where good eating is appreciated; and the original stock is 

 found in the. southern parts of the continent of North America, and in 

 Brazil. 



Scaup. Duck. This is a common Duck in our markets, and is gene- 

 rally known by the name of the Blue-bill. It is sometimes called 

 the Broad-bill, and along the waters ot the Chesapeake the Black- 

 head. It is a great diver, and commonly feeds on the snails which 

 abound in our fresh and salt marshes. When fat, its flesh is of tole- 

 rable flavour. The Blue-bills of the Chesapeake and its waters are 

 infinitely preferable to those of the Delaware or the coast This 

 species is the last that leaves us in the spring for the purpose of 

 breeding, numbers being annually seen as late as the middle of May. 



Shoveller. If we except the singularly formed and disproportionate 

 size of the bill, there are few Ducks more beautiful, or more elegant- 

 ly marked than this. The excellence of its flesh, which is juicy, ten- 

 der, and well tasted, is another recommendation to which it is equally 

 entitled. It occasionally visits the coast ; but is more commonly found 

 on our lakes and rivers. It is one of our winter birds ; and is not 

 known to breed in any part of the United States. 



Buffel-headed Duck. This pretty little species, usually known by 

 the name of the Butter-box, or Butter-ball, from the circumstance of 

 its becoming exceedingly fat, is common to the sea shores, rivers 

 and lakes of the United States, in every quarter of the country, dur- 

 ing autumn and winter. They feed much on shell-fish, shrimps, &c. 

 The male exceeds the female in size, and greatly in beauty of plu- 

 mage. They are dexterous divers, and fly with great velocity. Their 

 flesh is good. 



The Blue-winged Teal is the first of its tribe that returns to us in 

 the autumn from its breeding place in the north. They are usually 

 seen in September, along the shores of the Delaware, where they sit 

 on the mud, close to the edge of the water, so crowded together that 

 the gunners often kill great numbers at a single discharge. They 

 fly rapidly; and when they alight they drop down suddenly, like the 

 Snipe or Woodcock, among the reeds or on the mud. They feed 

 eagerly on the seeds of the reed or wild oats, and become very fat. 

 They are considered a g*reat delicacy, aad command a high price in 

 our markets: 



