THE MALLARD. 



113 



throat for about two inches, plain yellowish white ; wings, bill, and 

 legs, nearly as in the male. 



The windpipe of the male has a bony labyrinth, or bladder- 

 like knob puffing out from the left side. The intestines measure 

 six feet, and are as wide as those of the Canvas-back. The wind- 

 pipe is of uniform diameter until it enters the labyrinth. 



This is the original stock of the common domesticated duck, 

 reclaimed, time immemorial, from a state of nature, and now be- 

 come so serviceable to man. In many individuals the general 

 garb of the tame Drake seems to have undergone little or no al- 

 teration ; but the stamp of slavery is strongly imprinted in his 

 dull indifferent eye, and grovelling gait; while the lofty look, long 

 tapering neck, and sprightly action of the former, bespeak his na- 

 tive spirit and independence. 



The common Wild Duck is found in every fresh water lake 

 and river of the United States in winter; but seldom frequents the 

 sea shores or salt marshes. Their summer residence is the north, 

 the great nursery of this numerous genus. Instances have been 

 known of some solitary pairs breeding here in autumn. In Eng- 

 land these instances are more common. The nest is usually placed 

 in the most solitary recesses of the marsh, or bog, amidst coarse 

 grass, reeds, and rushes, and generally contains from twelve to 

 sixteen eggs of a dull greenish white. The young are led about 

 bv the mother in the same manner as those of the tame duck ; but 

 with a superior caution, a cunning and watchful vigilance pecu- 

 liar to her situation. The male attaches himself to one female, 

 as among other birds in their native state, and is the guardian 

 and protector of her and her feeble brood. The Mallard is nu- 

 merous in the rice fields of the southern states during winter, many 

 of the fields being covered with a few inches of water, and the scat- 

 tered grains of the former harvest lying in abundance, the ducks 

 swim about and feed at pleasure. 



VOL. VIII. F f 



