THE TAME DUCK. 473 



be regretted, as I wished to verify Waterton's account of the 

 wonderful changes in dress the Drake undergoes in June and 

 July, the oddest part of which is, that immediately on the 

 completion of the bird's sober change of raiment, he begins 

 to shed those feathers again, to make room for his gala dress. 



"One cause of the diminution of numbers in the Mallard 

 here, is a Fox-preserver about half a dozen miles off. These 

 vermin seem to be fonder of Ducks than any thing else, and 

 the Ducks are preserved for them ! How they catch them has 

 always been rather a mystery to me, but it must be by lying 

 perdu in the sedge for them. This, however, would seem to 

 be but a poor chance. 



" Wild Ducks, rendered tame and corn-fed, are certainly 

 superior to any, having the fine wild flavour, without its fishi- 

 ness. Beech mast are a good occasional diet for Wild Ducks, 

 if thrown into their piece of water; 



"This season (1849) I have been particularly successful 

 in rearing the Mallard in a state of domestication. Three 

 different sets of Eggs, from five to nine in number, were 

 brought in by our mowers, and the greater part hatched under 

 Hens. The Ducklings were shy at coming out, but as soon 

 as their first feathers began to appear, they would eat from 

 my hand, and follow me eagerly about the garden, if they 

 saw me with a spade ; seeming to understand that they were 

 about to enjoy their grand treat of worms. Small frogs also 

 did not come amiss, which they gulped down, regardless of 

 the cries of the poor creatures. I noticed that, after they at- 

 tained their quill-feathers, though not previously, they began 

 to eat grass with avidity. Odd scraps at first, and soaked 

 corn and dry rice afterwards, formed their chief food; and 

 this diet, I think, made them mild and agreeable ultimately 

 for the table. Out of many I reared, there were only two 

 females one of which had a singular habit of attacking me 

 with great spirit and much quacking, if I attempted the cap- 



40* 



