Duck

Duck, a book-name for any of one division of the Anatidee, a family of Swimming Birds, containing the True Ducks, Geese and Swans. It is universally distributed; but the species are most abundant in temperate and cold climates, and one of the most important genera, economically, is Arctic. [Eider Duck.] In this family, which contains 40 generawith 180 species, the feet are very short, and the lower leg covered with a network of scales in front; the bill is almost straight, rounded at the extremity, and having the nostrils at the base; the hind toe, which is small and does not. touch the ground, is present in all the species. When, as is sometimes done, the Flamingoes are included in the family, it is equivalent to the old group Lamellirostres, so named because the beak is furnished on each side with a series of transverse plates which act as strainers to sift the mud in which these birds for the most part seek their food. In the type-gemis Anas the legs are rather short, and placed centrally under the body; the wings are rather long and pointed, and the tail pointed or wedge-like; the sexes differ in plumage. The Mallard or Wild Duck (Anas boscas), widely distributed, is a British bird, still abundant, though its numbers have been reduced by the reclamation of the fen-lands. The male, about 24 inches long, is exceedingly beautiful. The head and upper part of the neck are deep emerald green; a white collar divides this from the brown of the lower part of the breast; the back is a mixture of black and brown, there is a bright-blue spot on each wing, and the central tail-feathers are recurved. The female is somewhat smaller, and her plumage shades of brown. At the end of the breeding season the male assumes a dress much like that of his mate, recovering his brilliant appearance in the autumn. They frequent lakes and rivers, feeding on aquatic vegetation and insects, molluscs and crustaceans, worms, frogs, and fish-fry. The nest is composed of grass lined with down, and contains about a dozen eggs. The wild species has a single mate, but when domesticated becomes polygamous. From this species all the varieties of the Domestic Duck are descended; but none has the fine plumage of the wild bird, the Rouen ducks approaching it most closely, while the Aylesburys are white and the Labradors black. [Poultry.] Other British fresh-water ducks are the Gadwall, Garganey, Pintail, Shoveller, Teal, and Widgeon (all which see).