DUCK. 



209 



eyes surrounded with a naked skin, which is warty, and red ; irides 

 yellow ; crown of the head black ; sides, throat, and fore part of the 

 neck, white, varied with black ; lower part of the neck, breast, 

 sides, lower belly, and thighs, brown, a little mixed with white; 

 back and rump brown, glossed with green gold ; the upper part of 

 the belly white; the three first quills white, the nine following dusky 

 brown, edged without, and tipped with green gold; the tail 

 consists of twenty feathers, the outer one on each side white, the others 

 green gold ; legs red : this is the most common appearance. In a 

 completely wild state the whole plumage is black, glossed with 

 violet or green ; some have small dots of white at the back of the 

 head and wing coverts. The female does not greatly differ. 



The species is sufficiently known, being not uncommon, and do- 

 mesticated in almost every nation ; is found in a state of nature about 

 Brazil, and sometimes in vast flocks of a large size ; is called there 

 Patos ; it is also not uncommon, with the plumage white, in our 

 menageries, where it multiplies greatly ; said to be in a wild state 

 about the Lake Baikal, in Asia ; when at large they make the nest 

 on the stumps of old trees, and perch, during the heat of the day, on 

 the branches of those which are well clothed ; are naturally very 

 wild, though, when kept tame, are sufficiently docile; the male 

 will also sometimes associate with the Common Duck, and produce 

 a mongrel breed : the eggs are rounder than those of the Common 

 Duck, and in young birds frequently incline to green ; they are 

 esteemed, as they are said to lay more eggs, and sit oftener, than 

 other ducks. The name given to them was on supposition of their 

 being natives of Muscovy, according to some, but is more probablv 

 derived from their exhaling a musky odour, which proceeds from 

 the glands placed on the rump, in common with other birds. As 

 the flesh is good, and of very high flavour, added to the bird being 

 of a greater size, the breed ought to be encouraged, especially as it 

 is as hard} r as any other species : common at Paraguay and vicinity. 

 The Guaranis call it Ypeguazo (Great Duck), and the Spaniards 



