THE MALLARD. 237 



are seen in the markets of Philadelphia, Baltimore, Richmond in Virginia, 

 and other towns. Although they are very abundant in the Carolinas and 

 Floridas, as well as in Lower Louisiana, they are much more so in the 

 Western Country. The reason of this is merely that the Mallard, unlike the 

 sea Ducks, is rarely seen on salt water, and that its course from the countries 

 where it chiefly breeds is across the interior of the continent. From our 

 great lakes, they spread along the streams, betake themselves to the ponds, 

 wet meadows, submersed savannahs, and inland swamps, and are even found 

 in the thick beech woods, in early autumn, and indeed long before the males 

 have acquired the dark green colour of the head. Many of them proceed 

 beyond the limits of the United States. 



It would be curious to know when this species was first domesticated; but, 

 reader, the solution of such a question is a task on which I shall not venture. 

 In the domestic state every body knows the Mallard. When young it 

 affords excellent food, and when old lays eggs. A bed made of its feathers is 

 far preferable to the damp earth of the camp of an American woodsman, or 

 the plank on which the trained soldier lays his wearied limbs at night. You 

 may find many other particulars if you consult in chronological order all the 

 compilers from Aldkovandus to the present day. 



Be not startled, good reader, when I tell you that many of these Ducks are 

 bred in the lakes near the Mississippi, nay even in some of the small ponds 

 in the low lands or bottoms of the States of Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois; 

 for in many parts of those districts I have surprised the females on their 

 eggs, have caught the young when their mother was cautiously and with 

 anxiety leading them for greater safety to some stream, and have shot many 

 a fat one before the poor thing could fly, and when it was so plump, tender, 

 and juicy, that I doubt much whether you, like myself, would not much 

 prefer them to the famed Canvass-backed Duck. 



Look at that Mallard as he floats on the lake; see his elevated head 

 glittering with emerald-green, his amber eyes glancing in the light! Even 

 at this distance, he has marked you, and suspects that you bear no good will 

 towards him, for he sees that you have a gun, and he has many a time been 

 frightened by its report, or that of some other. The wary bird draws his 

 feet under his body, springs upon them, opens his wings, and with loud 

 quacks bids you farewell. 



Now another is before you, on the margin of that purling streamlet. How 

 brisk are all his motions compared with those of his brethren that waddle 

 across your poultry-yard! how much more graceful in form and neat in 

 apparel! The Duck at home is the descendant of a race of slaves, and has 

 lost his native spirit: his wings have been so little used that they can hardly 



