344 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



many species of indigenous birds might be successfully and 

 }3rofitably domesticated. The greater part of them are of the 

 genus Anas. Among these may be named the wood-duck, 

 Anas spousa, which has already been partially domesticated ; 

 the black duck, A. obscura ; the blue-winged teal, A. discors ; 

 the gudwell duck, A. strepera; and eider duck, Fidigula molis- 

 sima. All these have been occasionally tamed, but no experi- 

 ments have been made for the purpose of ascertaining their 

 value as additions to our domesticated stock. Some of the 

 grouse family are worthy of trial, two or three of which are 

 recommended for domestication by Audubon. 



Such new species as might be considered fit subjects of experi- 

 ment, could easily be procured by advertisement ; and many 

 would be presented to the society by individuals who are curi- 

 ous in these matters. Rare birds are often brought home by 

 adventurers from the interior of the continent, and by seamen. 

 There are also undoubtedly some species of quadrupeds which 

 might be useful additions to our domesticated kinds. I do not 

 feel very sanguine of the success of operations in this depart- 

 ment ; but if one new and valuable species of bird or quadruped 

 were brought under complete domestication by the efforts of 

 the society, one very important item of experimental research 

 would have been accomplished. The experiments would seem 

 at least to draw public attention to the natural history of our 

 own country. 



7. Poultry ought not to be considered beneath the attention 

 of the philosophical ["experimenter. The comparative value of 

 the different varieties of the domestic hen has never been fairly 

 tested. Notwithstanding the universal rage that prevailed a 

 few years since, in regard to the rearing of poultry, the people 

 seem to have acquired no useful experience. They still enter- 

 tain the fallacious opinion that success depends on the selection 

 of good and productive breeds, more than on any other circum- 

 stance. If any are convinced that more depends on a careful 

 mode of rearing and keeping them than on the selection of the 

 breed, they still suppose that success is owing to the use of some 

 particular nostrum, and that the height of good management is 

 the judicious dispensation of medicaments, that stimulate the 

 productive powers of the hen. 



Very few of our farmers pay any proper attention to their 



