322 
Journal kept at Holkham, the Seat of 
T. W. Coke, Esq. M. P. " William Jones 
late huntsman to T. W. Coke, Esq. shot 
in the Obelisk wood at Holkham, from 
her nest in which were deposited nine eggs 
in a forward state of incubation, a Wild 
Duck on the top of a very high Scotch 
Fir Tree, in the year 1782. He saw her 
tail overhanging the edge of the nest, and 
expected when he shot to have killed a 
Hawk." 
It appears to be the general opinion of 
authors, that Wild Ducks pair during the 
breeding season, but, that when domesti- 
cated they are polygamous. We are doubt- 
ful respecting this fact, or more properly 
speaking, are inclined to believe that they 
are the same in both conditions. Our rea- 
sons for this opinion are that we have 
frequently seen the Duck followed by her 
young ones, without a Mallard in com- 
pany, this is not the case with other water 
fowl which pair, and we have been assured 
by sportsmen of undoubted veracity in the 
neighbourhood of Yarmouth, that during 
the time of the Ducks sitting upon their 
