294 duck. 



which is rather longer, and bent downwards. This seems a mere 

 Variety of the Common Duck, and breeds as well in a tame state. 

 It seems to be kept in England from curiosity ; but we are informed, 

 that in some parts of Germany it is full as common, and the breed 

 encouraged, to the exclusion of those with straight bills. Bancroft, 

 in his History of Guiana,* mentions a Wild Duck larger than the 

 Tame one, and resembling it, except in the bill, which is black, 

 and crooked at the end, the feet and legs being of an ash-colour; 

 and adds, that they are found in the rainy seasons, on the banks of 

 rivers near the sea. 



Other Varieties might be here mentioned, such as those with 

 tufted heads ; and a few having some of the second quills distorted 

 and turned upwards, called Four-winged Ducks ;f and not unfre- 

 quently one or two in a brood, wanting the webs between the toes, 

 whilst others of the same hatching have had them complete. 



57 —MIXED DUCK. 



AMONG the drawings of Mr. Dent is one, of the size of a Goose, 

 with the air and habit of the Mallard. The bill pale blue; head to 

 the middle of the neck black, with a purple gloss ; then a narrow 

 ring of white ; below this to the breast fine ferruginous ; from thence 

 beneath white, mottled with dusky on the sides, vent dark ; the 

 lower part of the neck behind, back, and wings, deep blackish green, 

 with a gloss of bronze on the margins of many of the feathers; second 

 quills fringed white at the tips ; greater quills black, and tail ; but 

 no recurved feathers as seen in the Mallard ; legs orange. 



In a note at the bottom, the above is said to be a mixed breed 

 between the Muscovy and Common Duck. 



* p. 170. t See a Goose of this kind in Gent. Mag. vol. xxv. pi. op. p. 24. 



One is likewise mentioned in the Museum of Royal Cabinet of Sweden, having four legs. 

 See Anas degener. Mus. Ad. Fr. i. p. 17. 



