CHAP. XIII.] FARMING FOR LADIES. 267 



sprung, is yet essentially different in the 

 flavour of its flesh when brought to the tamed 

 state. It is, however, still governed by 

 nearly the same natural propensities ; except 

 that in one particular — we blush to say — the 

 " drake " — as the male is termed when tame 

 — forgetful of those connubial ties which bind 

 the mallard to his mate, bestows his libertine 

 caresses on half a dozen at a time. 



The plumage of the mallard is usually of 

 a brownish, or rather dingy black colour, with 

 a broad white patch on the wings ; that of 

 the " duck " — as the females of both the 

 wild and tame breeds are distinctively called 

 — ^being of a more clouded hue, and the bird 

 is of a smaller size, whilst those of the com- 

 mon domestic kind are of every variety of 

 colour. When dark coloured, they are, how- 

 ever, thought better flavoured than the white ; 

 but the latter — or " Aylesbury ducks " — 

 grow to a larger size, and, being also found 

 to be rather easier fattened, they are gene- 

 rally preferred by dealers who wish to bring 

 them early to market. The sexual distinc- 

 tion of voice is remarkable ; for, while the 

 quack of the female is loud and sonorous, 



