264 THE GAME FOWL. 



It is a mistake to suppose that a pond of water or a running 

 brook is essential to the thrift of either Duck or Goose. It 

 may afford them facilities for washing their feathers ; but all 

 the water they need, is a panful, at all times by them, to drink. 

 No one has had better luck with them than myself, and my 

 web-footed bipeds never saw river, pond or brook, nothing 

 more extensive nor permanent than a mud-puddle after a 

 shower. 



While on the subject of web-feet, I will tell you the story 

 of Isaac 0' Banner's Game Chickens, lest you should never have 

 heard it. Of course, you will not put it in the book, for fear 

 there might be some mistake about it. Isaac had been to a 

 Cock-fight, and was so pleased with the pluck of the com- 

 batants, that he determined to have some of the same. A 

 friend promised him some Game Cock's Eggs, and, in fulfilment, 

 sent him those of Ducks. Isaac set them under his Hen, and 

 though he thought they were very slow about coming out, he 

 waited patiently till they broke the shell. But then, there 

 was no limit to his admiration and delight. He took one up 

 in his hand. He looked at its bill, and exclaimed, in great 

 glee, " Jiminy, what a neb ! If he takes hould, he'll niver let 

 go !" He glanced at its feet, and that capped the climax of his 

 extacy, and says he, " What a fine wide fut he's got ! all 

 would' nt thrip him up. 1 " But, alas for the vanity of 

 human hopes ! Isaac had to leave home, and the care of the 

 Chickens, for a season, devolved on his brother Amos. Now, 

 in feeding, it struck Amos that the Game Chickens shovelled 

 up a great deal more than their share, owing to their broad 

 "bakes." And being a great lover of justice, he picked them 

 up, and whittled their bills down to a point, that the others 

 might have an even chance with them. In consequence of 

 this treatment, Isaac O'Sanner's Game Chickens never won a 

 battle. 



