WILD DUCKS. 
701 
back, and under the wings, which is asserted by the supporters of the 
lubrication theory, would be sufficient for the purpose foo which it is 
required. 
Another, and perhaps the best objection is that the bird would not 
be able to obtain sufficient oil from the gland to lubricate itself all 
over. The quantity required for this purpose will be very great, as 
birds (if they use it at all) use it continually. 
I think Mr. W. has sufficiently refuted the idea of their using oil 
at all, that they (as he asserts) are catching insects when they are 
seen rubbing their bills up and down their plumage, appears rather 
doubtful. Perhaps some of your correspondents may be able to ad^- 
vance something in refutation or illustration of this theory; the sub¬ 
ject will bear and well deserves attention and discussion, and I shall 
be happy to resume it in a future number. 
A Subscriber. 
Manchester, July lit//, 1832. 
ARTICLE XVI. 
SINGULAR INSTANCE OF THE INSTINCT OF WILD DUCKS. 
BY MR. PHILLIPS. 
Author of the Pomarlum Britannicum, Sylvia Florifera, Sfe. Arc*. 
Being engaged in imjiroving the grounds at Hedgerley Park, Buck¬ 
inghamshire, during the last winter, I was desirous that the labour¬ 
ers should be kept emploj'ed in frosty weather, and therefore took 
the opportunity of collecting a quantity of large roots and stumps of 
trees, which had been grubbed up at various times in the woods and 
hedge-rows ; these were dragged over the ice to an island in the cen¬ 
tre of the lake, for the purpose of forming picturesque towers, and 
ruins. During this process, I was much amused by the movements 
of a great number of wild ducks on the opposite side of the lake; 
when about fifteen or twenty of these aquatic birds were constantly 
swimming, diving, and violently agitating the water, so as to pre¬ 
vent its becoming congealed by the frost, this they effectually pre¬ 
vented, although the ice on the other parts of the lake was sufficiently 
strong to bear, not only the weight of the large stumps of trees, but 
also that of ten or twelve men, whose labours were necessary to drag 
them to the island. When these ducks became weary, and retired 
from the water, they were regularly relieved bv about the same num- 
