. Cassell's natural history . outfour miles distant from the marsh, as we were returning to the harbour. This inducedme to believe, that. Like the eider and other ducks that breed in Labrador, the malesabandon the females as soon as incubation commences. I regret that, notwithstanding-all my further exertions, I did not succeed in discovering more nests or young female, which was killed as she flew off from the nest, uttered a rough, uncouth,guttural cry, somewhat resembling that of the goosander on similar occasions; and Ihave never heard any other sound from either sex. Tlic surf d
. Cassell's natural history . outfour miles distant from the marsh, as we were returning to the harbour. This inducedme to believe, that. Like the eider and other ducks that breed in Labrador, the malesabandon the females as soon as incubation commences. I regret that, notwithstanding-all my further exertions, I did not succeed in discovering more nests or young female, which was killed as she flew off from the nest, uttered a rough, uncouth,guttural cry, somewhat resembling that of the goosander on similar occasions; and Ihave never heard any other sound from either sex. Tlic surf duck is a powerful swimmerand an expert diver; it is frequently observed fishing at the depth of several fathoms ;and it floats buoyantly among the surf or the raging billows, where it seems as uncon-cerned as if it were on the most tranquil waters. I have never seen this species on anyfresh-water lake or river in any part of the interior, and, therefore, consider it as trulya marine duck. * Ouliliiia ]oi-^piciH;it;K— THE CHIXESK TEAL. Tli3 Mandarin Duck, or Chinese Teal, remarkable from the brilliancy of its plumage,never mates a second time. Of this Mr. Davis gives the following proof:— From apair of these birds, in Mr. Beales aviary at Macao, the drake happened one night to bestolen. The duck ^vlffe perfectly inconsolable, like Calypso after the departure of retired into a corner, neglected her food and person, refused all societ}, and rejectedwith disdain the proffer of a second love. In a few days, the purloined duck was reco-vered and brought back. The mutual demonstrations of joy were excessive ; and whatis more singular, the true husband, as if informed by his partner of what had happenedin his absence, pounced upon the would-be lover, tore out his eyes, and injured him somuch that he soon after died of his wounds. THE BUFFEL-HEADED Audubon says, that during autumn and winter this bird is to be seen in almost everypart of the Union, frequen
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1850, booksubjectbirds, bookyear1854
