94 THE DUCK. 



Of the kind and social nature of the duck, I had 

 a few years since the following example. 



We had drawn off for the table, the whole of a 

 lot of ducks, one excepted. This duck immediately 

 joined a cock and hens, and became so attached to 

 them, that it never willingly quitted their company, 

 notwithstanding some harsh usage, particularly from 

 the cock. It would neither feed rior rest with- 

 out them, and shewed its uneasiness at their occa- 

 sional absence by continual clamour. The manners 

 and actions of the duck, whether upon land or water, 

 are curious and pleasant to contemplate. Their re- 

 gular afternoon parade and march in line, the elder 

 drakes and ducks in front, from the pond homewards, 

 is a beautiful country spectacle, to be enjoyed by 

 those who have a relish for the charms of simple 

 nature. It is as long since as the year 1767, that I 

 recollect the following trait in the character and 

 manner of the duck. A parcel of ducks, probably 

 a score, which had been accustomed to their liberty, 

 were, for some particular reason, shut up during 

 several hours. On the door of the coop being 

 opened, they rushed out, threw themselves into a 

 single rank and file, and marched with rather a 

 quick step, three or four times around a certain 

 space, constantly bowing their heads to the ground, 

 then elevating them and fluttering their wings : the 

 ceremony finished, they quickly adjourned to the 

 water. I have laughed a thousand times at the 

 conceit, with which my boyish imagination was im- 

 pressed, namely, that the act which I had witnessed, 



