MALLARD 
217 
it is swallowed. The name of " Mute Swan '* is 
given to distinguish it from the Whooper or 
Whistling Swan, which is the commonest of the 
two species of " Wild Swans which visit our coasts 
in hard winters. Though in a wild state it has 
a loud enough cry, it seldom utters more than a 
low, soft note in its domestic or half-domestic 
condition, and it has not got a very peculiar loop- 
shaped enlargement of the vocal organs which is 
possessed by all other European Swans. 
MALLARD. 
(^Anas boscas,) 
Wild Duck. — As its common description by the 
general family name of *' Wild Duck " plainly 
implies, the Mallard is the commonest and best 
known of the numerous species of the duck tribe 
in Britain, few of which, however, occur habitually 
as inland species. It is also the original ancestor 
of the common bird of the duck-ponds. It has 
long nested in some abundance in many parts of 
the country, and in recent years it has been bred 
in much increased numbers on many estates in a 
half wild condition for purposes of sport, like the 
Pheasant. The number of British-bred birds is 
much increased in winter by foreign visitors, espe- 
