If there is one creature in the waterfowl world that is very surprising in color and form, it is surely the mandarin drake. One could wonder what’s the need to have those curious, outstanding orange-gold "sails" that extend up along its flanks. Originally a native of China and Japan, this oriental beauty is widely kept on ornamental ponds worldwide. The mandarin's pair bonds are strong, and pairs of caged mandarin ducks were formerly given as gifts at Chinese weddings as symbols of marital fidelity. - CB