THE MALLARD DUCK. 
241 
lard is found in most parts of the country during the 
winter season, except in the Eastern States. Audu- 
bon says they “ generally arrive in Kentucky and 
other parts of the western country [from the north], 
from the middle of September to the first of October, 
or as soon as the acorns and beech-nuts are fully ripe. 
In a few days they are to be found in all the ponds 
that are covered with seed-bearing grasses. Some 
flocks, which appear to be guided by an experienced 
leader, come directly down on the water with a rust- 
ling sound of their wings, that can be compared only 
to the noise produced by an Eagle in the act of stoop- 
ing upon its prey; while other flocks, as if they felt 
uneasy respecting the safety of the place, sweep 
around and above it several times in perfect silence, 
before they alight. In either case, the birds imme- 
diately bathe themselves, beat their bodies with their 
wings, dive by short plunges, and cut so many capers 
that you might imagine them to be stark mad. They 
wash themselves and arrange their dress, before com- 
mencing their meal ; and in this, other travellers would 
do well to imitate them. 
“ Now, toward the grassy margins they advance in 
straggling parties. See how they leap from the water 
to bend the loaded tops of the tall reeds. Woe be 
to the slug or snail that comes in their way. Some 
are probing the mud beneath, and waging war against 
the leech, frog, or lizard that is within reach of their 
bills ; while many of the older birds run into the 
woods, to fill their crops with beech-nuts and acorns, 
not disdaining to swallow also, should they come in 
21 Q 
