MANDARIN DUCK — A'icc galericulata. 
The beautiful Mandarin Duck is worthy of heading the true Ducks, for a 
more magnificently clothed bird can hardly be found when the male is in health 
and in his full nuptial plumage. 
These birds are natives of China, and are held in such esteem that they can 
hardly be obtained at any price, the natives having a singular dislike to seeing 
their birds pass into the possession of Europeans. “A gentleman/' writes Dr. 
Bennett, “ very recently wrote from Sydney to China, requesting some of these 
birds to be sent to him. The reply was, that from the present disturbed state of 
China, it would be easier to send him a pair of mandarins than a pair of Mandarin 
Ducks." This bird has the power of perching, and it is a curious sight to watch 
them perched on the branches of trees overhanging the water. 
The crest of this beautiful Duck is varied green and purple upon the top of the 
head, the long crest-like feathers being chestnut and green. From the eye to the 
beak the colour is warm fawn, and a stripe from the eye to the back of the neck 
is soft cream. 
23 G 
