Hatched by Hens. 161 



well fed with solid corn, without an ample 

 allowance of which, ducks are not to be 

 reared or kept in perfection, although they 

 gather so much abroad. 



Duck eggs are often hatched by hens, 

 when ducks are more in request than chick- 

 ens ; also as ducks, in unfavourable situa- 

 tions, are the more easy to rear, as more 

 hardy ; and the plan has no objection in a 

 confined place, and with a small stoclc, 

 without the advantage of a pond ; but the 

 hen is much distressed, as is sufficiently vi- 

 sible, and, in fact, injured, by the anxiety she 

 suffers in witnessing the supposed perils of 

 her children venturing upon the water. 



Ducks are fattened^ either in confine- 

 ment, with plenty of food and water, or full 

 as well, restricted to a pond, with access to 

 as much solid food as they will eat, which 

 last method I prefer. They fatten speedily, 

 in this mode, mixing their hard meat with 

 such variety abroad, as is natural to them, 

 more particularly, if already in good case ; 

 and there is no check or impediment to thrift 

 from pining, but every mouthful tells and 



