238 



DUCKS, GEESE, SWANS, AND PELICANS. 



There are numerous instances proving that Wild Ducks are sus- 

 ceptible of attachment to man, and it is certain that they can be 

 easily tamed. They also breed readily with the Domestic Duck ; and 

 the crossed birds thus produced are said to have an excellent flavour, 

 and to fatten with facility. Mr. St. John, in his " Wild Sports in the 

 Highlands," remarks that he has frequently caught and brought 

 home young Wild Ducks. " If confined in a yard with tame birds 

 for a week or two, they strike up a companionship which keeps 

 them from wandering when set at liberty. Some years ago I 

 brought home three, two of which turned out to be Drakes. I sent 



Fig. 89. Open Duck-shooting. 



away my tame Ducks, and the next season I had a large family of 

 half-bred and wholly Wild Ducks, as the tame and wild bred 

 together quite freely. The Wild Ducks which have been caught 

 turned out the tamest of all, throwing off all shyness, they follow 

 their feeder, and will eat corn out of the hand of any one they 

 know ; while the half-bred birds are inclined to take wing and fly 

 away for the purpose of making their nests at a distance." 



The flesh of the Wild Duck is much esteemed. But they are 

 birds which are very difficult to approach, in consequence of their 

 suspicious nature ; and in order to get even a long shot at them, 



