LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1886, 22 October 1913, Page 8

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

THE ENCLIBH WILD DUCK (MALLARD), gj r> —a little while back the Auckland Acclimatisation Society wrote to the Canterbury Society asking for information ■ in regard to Mallard duck or English wild duck. Mr. Stoail says they cross with the grey, and the male hybrids are very 1 pugnacious, and they appropriated the * foniale grey duck. This is the greatest praise that could possibly be given to J the Mallard, for it shows it is tho stronger bird. There can bo no doubt j that the crossbred (and also the truo •, bred Mallard) ore stronger—more : hardy—swifter on tho wing—largerbirds, and last, but not least, of finer plumage than tho grey duck. Moreover, they are birds that make- a prac- ' tico of frequenting the sea coast to feed on the eca grass which tho grey duck does not seem to care for, or probably bccause, in tho past, there iias been so much fresh water, i.e., _ lakes, rivers, and bogs, available as feediug-ground3 that the grey has not been forced, • like its English cousin, to ( go to the sea coast to find food and ' peace and quietness. Tito grey ; duck's plumago is plain, whereas tlio duck tribe can produco. 110 finer plumage than that of tho Mallard. Tho trouble appears to bo a few peoplo in Canterbury have noticed tho increase' of tlio Mallard, and want to increaso their bags by being allowed to shoot it. They have, 110 doubt., already (sampled some, of the Mallards, and find they are larger and of better flavour than tho grey, but once lot cross breeds bo shot, and the Mallard will soon bo wiped out,' as the. distinction between a cross and a purebred when tho bird is on tlio wing would bo most difficult. 'fhtjro can be no doubt, if let alone, the crey duck will very quickly bo absorbed in the Mallard, and during tho process it will afford a grand protection to the duck tribe if all Mallards and cross breeds are protected until proclaimed open to shooting by Order-in-Council by the Governor. —I am, etc., CECIL A. WHITNEY. Auckland, October 17, 1913.