153 The Duck. 



begin to lay in February, and unless watch- 

 ed will lay abroad and conceal their eggs. 

 The duck on leaving her nest, will cover 

 the eggs with leaves, or any thing within 

 her reach, as will the goose, sometimes; 

 the hen never. Our old housewives had a 

 notion that the variety of ducks, which 

 have ijie bill bending upwards, lay a great- 

 er number of eggs than common, of which 

 I can say nothing from my own observa- 

 tion, but can remark, that, with ducks well 

 fed, I never failed to have plenty of eggs. 

 The duck generally lays by night, or early 

 in the morning, seldom after ten o'clock, 

 with the exception of chilling and comfort- 

 less weather, when she will ocasionally 

 retain her egg until mid-day, or afternoon. 

 In order to keep her within until she has 

 laid, some will examine her, but it is bet- 

 ter avoided, as her appearance and weight 

 behind, or otherwise, may be trusted to, by 

 constant observers. Accustomed to a nest, 

 she w ill not forsake it. It has been former- 

 ly directed, to give each duck her own 

 eggs, to which, however, much conse- 



