. The popular natural history . Zoology. 402 TSAL. This is by no means one of the least handsome of if; tribe ; the rich glossy green of the head and neck, the snowy white collar, and the velvet black of the odd little curly feathers of the tail, giving it a bold and striking appearance, which, but for its familiarity, would receive greater admiration than it at present obtains. It is the stock from which descended our well-known domestic Duck, to which we are so much indebted for its flesh and its eggs. In its wild state the Mallard arrives in this country about Octobei', assembling in large
. The popular natural history . Zoology. 402 TSAL. This is by no means one of the least handsome of if; tribe ; the rich glossy green of the head and neck, the snowy white collar, and the velvet black of the odd little curly feathers of the tail, giving it a bold and striking appearance, which, but for its familiarity, would receive greater admiration than it at present obtains. It is the stock from which descended our well-known domestic Duck, to which we are so much indebted for its flesh and its eggs. In its wild state the Mallard arrives in this country about Octobei', assembling in large flocks, and is immediately persecuted in every way that the mgenuity of man can devise. The nest of the Mallard is made of grass, lined and mixed with down, and is almost always placed on the ground near water, and sheltered by reeds, osiers, or other aquatic plants. Sometimes, however, the nest is placed in a more inland spot, and it noiv and then happens that a Duck of more than usual eccentricity builds her nest in a tree at some elevation from the ground, so that, when her young are hatched, she is driven to exert all her ingenuity in conveying them safely from their lofty cradle to the ground or the water. Such a nest has been observed in an oak-tree twenty-five feet from the ground, and at Heath VV ood, near Chesterfield, onr of these birds usurped. TE < L.—(Qiierjufitula Crecca.) possession of a deserted crow's nest in an oak-tree. Many similar instances are on record. The eggs of the Mallard are numerous, but variable, according to the indi- vidual which lays them, some being far more prolific than others. The eggs are rather large, and of a greenish white colour. The pretty little Teal is the smallest and one of the most valuable of the British Ducks, its flesh being peculiarly delicate and its numbers plentiful. In the southern parts of England the EiDER DuCK is only a winter visi- tant, but remains throughout the year in the more northern portions of our island,
Size: 1946px × 1283px
Photo credit: © Central Historic Books / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1880, booksubjectzoology, bookyear1884
