THE SWIMMING, OR NATATORIAL GROUP. 157 



to fourteen in number, and are of a blaisli 

 white colour. 



The food of the wild duck consists of grain 

 and vegetable matters, slugs, aquatic insects, 

 tadpoles, the fry of fishes, and other aliment. 

 A large bony drum is placed at the lower 

 portion of the windpipe of the male, (both 

 wild and tame,) just within the chest. 



The domestic duck exceeds the wild bird in 

 size, but is neither so alert nor graceful, and 

 domestication has deprived it of a large portion 

 of its original instincts. Instead of pairing 

 with one mate, the male, as may be seen, leads 

 his troop of females, steering proudly at their 

 head, but, unlike the gallant chanticleer, he 

 neither defends them, nor calls them to par- 

 take of any delicacy. The domestic duck 

 varies considerably in size, and the colour of 

 the plumage ; and many breeds are particularly 

 noted. Among these is the large white 

 Aylesbury breed, which is prevalent in Buck- 

 inghamshire, where the rearing of ducks for 

 the markets constitutes at least a part of the 

 business of many cottagers. The Rhone duck, 

 another noted breed, is large, with a dark- 

 coloured plumage, and celebrated for the good- 

 ness and flavour of its flesh. 



