THE WILD DECK. 
79 
Mr. Selby, who gives a full and good account of the species 
under consideration, has remarked that, <e in a natural state, wild 
ducks always pair, though in a state of domestication they are 
observed to be polygamous. This pairing takes place towards 
the end of February or beginning of March, and they continue 
associated till the female begins to sit, when the male deserts her, 
joining others of his own sex similarly situated ; so that it is 
usual to see the mallards, after May, in small flocks by themselves” 
(p. 307). This subject has been touched on in Me SkimmhTs 
f History of Carrickfergus/ It is there said of wild ducks : — 
cc Often shot during winter at Loughmorne ; and until a few 
years ago some pairs bred in the most remote bogs of this parish. 
Their eggs have been hatched under hens, and the young thus 
domesticated ; but they have been observed to be always shy, and 
easily alarmed on the least noise ; and in the spring, the drake 
has been remarked to attach himself wholly to one duck for that 
season.” With respect to the “ wild” habits of the young birds, 
I may state that, although of correct general application, it is not 
universal. Large broods of young wild ducks, captured when 
half grown, about Lough Neagh, have become quite tame ; and 
until spring, when they were disposed of, remained, except when 
taking occasional flights, with the domestic birds of their own 
species about the house where they were fed. 
Adult birds of both sexes may occasionally be seen flocked 
together in summer. On the 15th June, 1833, I remarked a 
number of them so about Ram’s Island, and the neighbour- 
ing parts of Lough Neagh ; and on the 15th May, 1834, 
observed thirteen thus associated on the beach of this lake. On 
the 21st June, 1832, I met with a small number of old birds of 
both sexes together on an islet in Strangford Lough. Birds thus 
seen had probably not bred. 
In winter the males sometimes keep together in immense 
flocks. This was particularly remarked by Mr. Wm. Sinclaire 
and myself in the month of January 1824, during severe frost with 
much snow and sleet, when they came far up Belfast Bay, close 
to Thomson’s embankment. The water was literally covered with 
