340 



ORNITHOLOGY. 



tained in Australia. At the intermediate islands, Tongatabu, Feejee, 

 and Tahiti, thej were obtained and found to present variations only 

 in size. North of the equator, this species was not seen." 



2. Anas boschas, Linnaeus. — The Mallard. 

 Anas loschas, Linn. Syst. Nat. I, p. '205 (1766). 



Wilson, Am. Orn. VIII, Plate LXX, fig. 7 ; And. B. of Am. Plate 

 CCXXI; oct. ed. VI, Plate CCCLXXXV. 



Both Dr. Pickering and Mr. Peale notice the occurrence of this spe- 

 cies abundantly in the fresh waters of Oregon and California. Speci- 

 mens in the collection are strictly identical with the bird of Eastern 

 America. 



The Mallard is mentioned by Dr. Pickering as having been noticed 

 iu a state of domestication at the Philippine Islands in unusual num- 

 bers, and it is apparently a great favorite with the inhabitants. In his 

 interesting and valuable notes we tind the following : 



" This species is raised at the Philippine Islands in immense num- 

 bers, and is doubtless of Malay introduction. One of the most curious 

 sights to us along the river bank was the pens, about fifty feet square 

 and extending part way into the river, inclosing Ducks. Frequently, 

 several hundreds were contained in one inclosure, which, though per- 

 haps not more than a foot high, appeared to be quite sufficient. The 

 Ducks seemed to be perfectly contented, and, so far as we observed, 

 never attempted to exceed their limits ; generally, however, their 

 wings were clipped, but even that would not have been an effectual 

 preventative had the disposition been otherwise. Sometimes they 

 could be seen swimming rapidly around in circles, perhaps for the sake 

 of exercise. 



" In these inclosures, men were occasionally noticed lustily shovel- 

 ling the water, apparently for the purpose of dissipating its impurities, 

 or of assisting the current in carrying them off. In the course of the 

 twenty-five miles to the ' Laguna del Bay,' we must have passed many 

 thousands of Ducks in inclosures of the description to which we allude." 



This well-known species appears to be diffused throughout almost 

 the entire northern hemisphere. Specimens from various localities in 



