THE MALLARD, 



197 



and flock together, and are both subject to the double 

 annual moulting; of which more anon. The domes- 

 ticated duck only loses its inclination for flying, when 

 it is bred and reared far from any large sheet of 

 water ; but where an extent of water is at hand, this 

 bird will be observed to assume more brisk and ac- 

 tive habits. It will indulge in long and lofty flights, 

 and frequently take off* with the congregated wild 

 fowl in their nocturnal excursions. 



I have the finest possible opportunity of looking 

 into the habits of the mallard at any hour of the 

 day, from the rising to the setting sun : for here this 

 bird, and large flocks of its congeners, are perpetual 

 visitors during the winter months. They fear no 

 danger ; and they seem to know that in this popu- 

 lous neighbourhood there is one retreat left to which 

 they can retire^ and in which they can find a shelter 

 from the persecutions which are poured down so 

 thick upon them in other places, by man, their ever 

 watchful and insatiate pursuer. 



Some six years ago, I put a number of wild ducks* 

 eggs to be hatched by a domestic duck. The pro- 

 duce of these eggs having intermixed with the 

 common barn-door breed of ducks, there has been 

 produced by this union such an endless variety of 

 colouring, that it is now impossible to trace the 

 identical origin of the birds with any degree of cer- 

 tainty. Half wild, half tame, they will come to the 

 windows to be fed ; but still they have a wariness 

 about them quite remarkable ; and they will often 

 startle and take wing at very trivial causes of alarm. 

 In this group the naturalist may see the milk-white 

 o 3 



