386 ZOOLOGY. 
The origin of the common domestic duck is the mallard, Anas boschas 
(pl. 92, fig. 8), a species which inhabits both Europe and America. It is 
very abundant in some districts of the United States in the winter, and is 
shot and otherwise captured in large numbers. It has been domesticated 
for many centuries, and is now in the western United States frequently 
taken young and reared in the farmyard: The other species of North 
America are the dusky duck (A. obscura), the gadwall (A. strepera), the 
widgeon (A. americana), the pintail duck (A. acuta), the shoveller (A. cly- 
peata), the green-winged teal (A. carolinensis), the blue-winged teal (A. 
discors), and the summer or wood duck (A. sponsa). The latter is the 
most beautiful of the American ducks, and has no superior in its class 
except the mandarin duck of China, A. galericulata (pl. 92, fig.9). The 
summer duck inhabits the whole of North America, and unlike any other 
species makes its nest in a hollow tree, sometimes at considerable eleva- 
tion. Nearly all the American species are found in Europe, though a few 
are peculiar to the latter continent, as the European teal, A. crecca (pl 91, 
jig. 10). 
The musk duck or Muscovy duck, as it is mostly called (A. moschata), 
belongs here. It is a native of South America, and is extensively domes- 
ticated. 
Sub-fam. 5. Fuliguline, or Sea Ducks. Bill rather lengthened, some- 
times short, elevated at base; wings moderate, pointed; tail generally 
short; tarsi short; toes long and fully webbed. Size various, colors often 
gay. | 
About forty species are arranged here, which live almost exclusively in 
salt water, subsisting on shell fish, crustacea, fishes, and marine plants. 
The most celebrated species is the canvas-back duck (Fuligula valis- 
neria), which is esteemed as a great delicacy for the table. It inhabits the 
whole of North America. There are several other North American spe- 
cies, such as the pochard or red-headed duck (Ff. ferina); the scaup or 
black-headed duck (F. marila) ; the ring-necked duck (F. rufitorques) : the 
ruddy duck (fF. rubida) ; the velvet duck (Ozdemia velvetina), which has its 
entire plumage of fine black resembling velvet; the surf duck (O. perspi- 
cellata) ; the scoter, O. americana (pl. 91, fig. 9); the king duck (O. spee- 
tabilis) ; a large species, the eider duck (O. molissima), remarkable for the 
softness of its feathers ; the golden eye (Clangula americana) ; the western 
duck (C. dispar); the buffel-headed duck (C. albeola) ; a very handsome 
and common small species, the harlequin (C. histrionica) ; the long-tailed 
duck or south southerly (Harelda glacialis), and some others. 
Nearly all the species here mentioned are also found in Europe. 
Sub-fam. 6. Mergine, or Mergansers. Bill straight, slender, elevated 
at base and covered towards the tip, lateral margins serrated ; wings mode- 
rate, pointed ; tail short; tarsi short; toes moderate. Size various; colors 
generally rather gay and agreeable. 
About ten species only constitute this group. They are birds of very 
singular appearance, being apparently ducks in all respects except their nar- 
row and lengthened bills. They inhabit the northern portions of both 
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