172 BIRDS OF THE PLAINS 



result was that their lives were spared, and they became 

 friends of the family. They went everywhere with 

 the children, and used even to accompany them when 

 on tour with their father. They were allowed to enter 

 the tents as though they were dogs, and in return used 

 to permit the children to do anything they pleased with 

 them. They even submitted to being carried about like 

 dolls. Most amusing was it to see the good-natured 

 boredom on a duck's face as a small boy staggered along 

 with it tightly clasped in his arms. Its expression would 

 say more plainly than words, " I don't altogether relish 

 this, but I know the child means well." 



Nor was this behaviour in any way exceptional. A 

 better-disposed creature than the duck does not exist. 

 " I have kept and closely watched hundreds of ducks," 

 writes Mr. S. M. Hawkes, " but I never saw them fight 

 with each other, nor ever knew a duck the aggressor in a 

 dispute with some other kind of fowl." Yet the duck is 

 no coward. The drake is a warrior every inch of him, 

 constant in affection, and violent in love and wrath. If 

 the adult duck is so lovable, how much more so is the 

 duckling ! What a source of delight are those golden 

 fluff balls to a child. On seeing them for the first time 

 nine out of ten children will cry — 



But I want one to play with— Oh I want 

 A httle yellow duck to take to bed with me ! 



