A. F. Moody—Mallards



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A remarkable feature, and to which the Cereopsis owes its name, is

the short sharply-pointed bill, almost covered by the yellowish-green

cere. The eye is red.


These birds nest very early in this country, and it is not unusual

for some portion of their lengthy period of incubation to be carried

out whilst the nest is surrounded by snow.



THE MALLARDS


By A. F. Moody


Most people are acquainted with the ubiquitous Wild Duck—the

Mallard of our native fens and marshes. Not everyone, however, is

aware that this beautiful green head, the parent of the domestic stock,

encircles the world in about twenty distinct forms or species. Some of

these have never been imported, but as ten species thrive and reproduce

themselves on the ponds at Lilford Hall, Northamptonshire, a few

descriptive notes referring to these may be of interest to aviculturists

and others.


Roughly, they all have the Mallard’s voice, habits, form, and struc¬

ture. Both sexes also possess beautiful metallic speculums varying

with the species from deep violet in the American to a bright grass

green in the Madagascan bird.


One great difference is that all the various males lack the curled

tail feathers and gorgeous colouring of our English bird. They are,

in fact, just larger and brighter editions of their respective females ;

the bill, legs, and feet, in most cases, being the chief point of difference.

This comparative soberness of dress is responsible for the group not

being very popular with breeders of ornamental waterfowl. To the

ornithologist, however, who combines the two they are intensely

interesting, and, provided they be not allowed to hybridize, are amongst

the most pleasing and hardy of waterfowl.


1. Indian Spotbill (Anas poceilorhyncha ).—A large, grey, black

and white, mottled bird conspicuous by its white outer tertiary wing-

feathers and general pale appearance. Bill black ornamented by a



