DUCK. 477 



domefticated ftate in almoft every nation : where it originally 

 came from is not fo eafy to determine, by many fuppofed to be 

 Brafil*, as Marcgrave and other authors have defcribed it as be- 

 longing to that part of the world; as alfo the fame bird with a white 

 plumage f, which is no uncommon thing to be feen alfo in our 

 menageries, where it multiplies much. The eggs are rounder than 

 thofe of a Duck, and in young birds frequently incline to green. 

 They are efteemed, as they lay more eggs, and fit oftener, than 

 other Ducks. In an unconfined ftate, make the nett on the flumps 

 of old trees ; and perch during the heat of the day on the branches 

 of fuch as are well clothed with leaves. Are naturally very 

 wild, though when kept tame are fufHciently docile ; and the 

 male will not unfrequently affociate and pioduce a mongrel 

 breed with the common Ducks. The name o( Mujcovy Duck, given 

 to them, was on the fuppofition of their being natives of that 

 country ; but they have rather been fo called from their exhaling 

 a mufky odour %, which proceeds from the gland placed on the 

 rump in common with other birds. Their flefli is thought very 

 good, and the breed ought to be encouraged, as there is more 

 flefh on it than the common Duck, and of a very high flavour, and 

 the bird withal as hardy as any other fpecies. 



Anas ruficollis, Scop. Ann.\. N Q 8t. 32. 



RUFOUS-NECK- 

 OIZE of the Mallard. Bill black: head and neck rufous . ED D. 



breaft black : back variegated with lines of brown, tending Description. 



backwards : wing plain cinereous brown : tail fhort, not longer 



than the wings when clofed : legs black. 



Native place not mentioned.. 



* Thefe bir4s are met with wild about the lake Baikal, in rfjia. — Mr. Pennant. 

 f Ipeea guacu. Ray, — One of thefe is in the Leverian Mufium. % Ray. 



Aj-^6. 



