135 



in great request too, for bedding ; so that they 

 are plucked alive, five times in the year, for 

 feathers, and their wings once, for their unri- 

 valled quills. 



In respect to ducks, as they do not graze, or 

 scratch the soil, farmers need not be afraid of 

 any mischief from them, and they require 

 small attention and supplies. They do not 

 hatch so early as hens ; and, therefore, it is 

 common to put some of their eggs under a 

 sitting hen, who will perform the office as 

 well as if they were her own. She is, how- 

 ever, sadly perplexed and frightened, when 

 her brood, notwithstanding all her care and 

 clucking, take to the water, according to their 

 nature. 



I have now, I believe, mentioned the prin- 

 cipal animals which the farmer maintains for 

 his use or profit in this country. There are 



