DUCK. 505 



broad, and of a red colour -, at the bafe a rifing knob ; the nof- 

 trils, and nail at the end, black : the head, throat, and part of 

 the neck, are greenifh black ; the reft of the neck, the back, 

 rump, and upper tail coverts, white : on the breaft a rufous bay 

 band, which, growing narrower, pafles under the wings, and 

 round to the upper part of the back : the middle of the breaft, 

 belly, and vent, are dufky and white mixed : fides of the two 

 laft white : the fcapulars are black : the wing coverts white : 

 fome of the outer ones, baftard wing, and quills, black : fome of 

 the quills part white, part black: fpeculum green gold, gloried 

 with copper : the tail is white, except the outer feather on each 

 fide, which is tipped with black : the legs are red. 



The female is fmaller than the male ; but does not efientially Female. 



differ in plumage, except that the colours are lefs vivid. 



This fpecies is common, in the neighbourhood of they^z, in Place and 

 many parts of England ; where it is found throughout the year. 

 It breeds in deferted Rabbit-burrows, or occupies them in the ab- - 

 fence of the owners, who, rather than make an attempt at dif- 

 lodging the intruders, form others ; though, in defect of ready- 

 made quarters, thefe birds will frequently dig holes for them- 

 felves. The female lays fifteen or fixteen * roundifh white eggs ; 

 thefe are laid at the further end of the hole, covered with down 

 fupplied from the breaft of the female, who fits about thirty days. 

 The young as foon as hatched take to the water, and fwim fur- 

 prifingly well. She is very careful of the young, ufing many ftra- 

 tagems to favour their efcape when in danger ; and will often carry 

 them from place to place in the bill : this we are certain of, from 



• The younger birds lay only as far as twelve.— Hiji. da Qif. 



Vol. IIJ. 3 T a young 



Manners, 



