SHELDRAKE. 



Ptarmigan, and Partridge are exemplary in their performance 

 of the domestic duties of husband and father, while the Black- 

 cock, Pheasant, and Peacock are notably the reverse. 



Some authorities excuse them for this desertion on the plea 

 that their more conspicuous plumage might betray the nest to 

 their enemies, but I cannot think that that is the cause, for, 

 directly after the breeding season, the drake lays aside his 

 nuptial finery and becomes as dingy as the duck. I can find 

 no answer to the difficult question except the old-fashioned 

 one I used to get in my youth, " It is their nature so to do." 



Unlike the Drake (Sheldrake excepted) the Gander in the 

 domestic state takes care of his young. Even when he has two 

 wives, and both have families, he adopts them all, and will, if 

 allowed, take a turn at sitting on the eggs of both his geese. At 

 Killearn it happened that a hen had hatched some goslings, and 

 the Gander killed her because she would not let him have them. 

 When the Goose is sitting on eggs, the Gander appears to know 

 on what day they ought to hatch ; and, if shut out of the goose- 

 house, he will watch at the door for her to come out with her 

 brood. A Turkey Cock there also took great care of the young 

 Turkeys. He was a great defence for them against Crows and 

 Jackdaws. This was supposed to be an unusual case. With the 

 Gander it is always so. There was an old pet white Leghorn 

 Cock at Arisaig Inn that devoted his latter days to the charge of 

 young chickens, when he was much confined to the house from 

 old age and infirmity. The instinct for nursing seems to occur 

 sometimes in most unexpected quarters. I knew a cat, many 

 years ago, that had a fancy for adopting a young chicken, and 



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