PREFACE. V 



tion relating to them, which he knew would be justly valued by 

 a discerning and respectable community. 



Of the domestic habits of the greater part of the subjects 

 above referred to, the scientific world unfortunately remains in 

 ignorance. Formed by nature with strength of wing capable of 

 supporting immense aerial journies, the Ducks, in the vernal sea- 

 son, impelled by that mysterious principle, vaguely termed in- 

 stinct, prepare to seek those climes which will afford them an asy- 

 lum during the important period of incubation ; and where they 

 and their offspring may escape the observation of destructive man. 

 To the dreary regions of the north these wanderers then repair; 

 each family, probably, occupying those peculiar districts, which 

 have been the heritage of their progenitors for ages ; and which 

 furnish them with an abundance of food particularly adapted to 

 their wants, and to the rearing of their young. In that season, 

 could the zealous naturalist safely tread those unknown shores, 

 what a rich harvest would reward his enterprize and research ! 

 He would there behold, on their own native streams, in all the 

 pride of independence, those various acquaintance, whose periodi- 

 cal visits to his section of the globe he never failed to welcome ; 

 he would explore their favorite haunts; trace the operations of na- 

 ture in the important, consecutive work of perpetuating their kind; 

 note their simple manners before a knowledge of the lords of cre- 

 ation had taught them vigilance and stratagem; and finally behold 

 them congregating in prodigious multitudes, to prepare, as the 

 season of night and storms approaches, to migrate to those regions 

 where their wants may continue to be supplied; and where it 



VOL. VIII. B 



