THE MANDARIN DUCK

It is purely an Eastern Asiatic duck, being distributed throughout Central and Southern China and Japan. It keeps to small streams, especially such as those that run through forests. It is usually found in small flocks, seldom exceeding a dozen, and very often less. It is a stout, sturdy little duck, being able to move equally well on water, land and in the air. In China, a pair of these ducks are frequently placed in a decorated cage, and carried in marriage processions and are presented to the bride and bridegroom.