SHOOTING WILD DUCKS, ETC. 833 



to procure the aquatic herbs growing there, and which are 

 almost the sole food that remains for them at this inclement 

 period. 



The following interesting instance of the intelligence of 

 the wild duck, in using a cunning device for the protection 

 of its young, is recorded by Mr. Pilkington in his " History 

 of Derbyshire." As he was walking in a path leading through 

 a coppice not much frequented, and passing some brambles, 

 the roots of which were clothed with long grass, he came 

 upon a wild duck, with several young ones beside her. He 

 was close upon her before she perceived him, when she 

 instantly uttered a loud note of alarm, and bounded almost 

 close to his feet ; then, with another jerk, threw herself a 

 little forward, out of the reach of liis hand, as he stretched 

 it forth to take up what he supposed an easy capture. 

 Another hop and flutter threw her to a greater distance, 

 while he pursued, supposing her to have both a leg and 

 wing broken. He marked the bush with his eye, where he 

 saw the ducklings, concluding that he could take them at his 

 leisure, after having secured the dam. He briskly continued 

 his pursuit, while the bird persevered in counterfeiting lame- 

 ness and inability of flight, throwing herself forward to a 

 distance proportioned to his speed, but sufficient to clear his 

 grasp, yet near enough to encourage his hopes. At length, 

 chagrined, and increasing his pace, he began to run, while 

 the bird, on his nearer approach, alternately rose a little on 

 the wing and tumbled upon the ground, thus keeping up his 

 attention until she led him more than half a furlong from 

 the spot where he first perceived her. Rising suddenly 

 above his head, she then winged her flight, as in triumph, to 

 a marsh, at the distance of nearly a quarter of a mile, in 

 which there was a large pond, where she alighted secure. 

 Disappointed in obtaining her, he consoled himself by con- 



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