DUCK. 305 



This species, called also Scaledrake, or Skeel-goo.se, is common 

 in the neighbourhood of the sea, in many parts of England ; where 

 it is found throughout the year. Inhabits the Orknies in the winter, 

 and returns in spring northward. It frequently breeds in deserted 

 rabbit burrows, which it occupies in the absence of their owners, 

 who, rather than make an attempt to dislodge the intruders, are at 

 the pains to form others, though, in defect of ready-made quarters, 

 these birds will frequently dig holes for themselves. The female lays 

 as many as sixteen, roundish white eggs;* these are placed at the 

 farthest part of the hole, covered with down, supplied from the 

 breast of the female, who sits about thirty days. The young, as 

 soon as hatched, take to the water, and swim surprisingly well. The 

 mother is very careful of her brood, using many stratagems to favour 

 their escape when in danger, and will often carry them from place to 

 place in the bill. The young birds do not come to complete plumage 

 till the second year at least. They may be hatched under a Tame 

 Duck, and the young readily brought up, but are apt, after a few 

 years, to attempt the mastery over the rest of the poultry, and some- 

 times attack every thing that comes in their way ; though it is very 

 rarely that they will breed during confinement, f The natural food 

 of this bird consists of small fish, marine insects, and shells, with 

 a portion of herbage ; in a confined state will eat bread, grain, and 

 greens ; but it will never thrive so completely, as in the neighbour- 

 hood of salt water, which seems essential to its well being ; however, 

 as an article of diet, it is not coveted, as the flesh is rank and un- 

 savoury, though the eggs have at all times been esteemed. 



The male of this species, however externally similar to the other 

 sex, is to be distinguished by means of the trachea, which has the 



* The younger birds lay only as far as twelve.— Hist, des Ois. 



f One instance is recorded in the the Orn. Diet. Daubenton talks of a mixed breed 

 between this and our domestic poultry ; but adds, that the produce was not fertile. See 

 Encycl. Method, i. p. 341. Mr. Lewin has observed beautifully plumaged Ducks, pro- 

 duced between the Common Duck and Shieldrake. 



vol. x. Re 



