The Duck, S5 



I had a few years since the following ex- 

 ample. 



We had drawn off for the table, the 

 whole of a lot of ducks, one excepted. 

 This duck immediately joined a cock and 

 hens, and became so attached to them, that 

 it never willingly quitted their company, 

 notwithstanding some harsh usage, particu- 

 larly from the cock. It would neither feed 

 nor rest without them, and shewed its un- 

 easiness at their occasional absence by con- 

 tinual clamour. The manners and actions 

 of the duck, whether upon land or water, 

 are curious and pleasant to contemplate. 

 Their regular afternoon parade and march 

 in line, the dder drakes and ducks in front, 

 from the pond homewards, is a beautiful 

 country spectacle, to be enjoyed by those 

 who have a relish for the charms of simple 

 nature. It is as long since as the year 

 1767, that I recollect the following trait in 

 the character and manner of the duck. A 

 parcel of ducks, probably a score, which 

 had been accustomed to their liberty, were, 

 for some particular reason, shut up during 



