THE DUCK. 101 



Their fury kindled anew against each of them, and 

 they would all have experienced the fate of the first, 

 had he left them long enough to lose all their blood 

 and strength. The extraordinary part of this case 

 was, first, that the cocks destroyed were strong and 

 bold, and would easily have governed thirty rebel 

 hens at large, yet cooped up, did not attempt either 

 to defend themselves or even to avoid the attacks of 

 the furies, their wives. Secondly, the two hens, 

 being released from confinement, became immedi-* 

 ately as mild and submissive to the cock, as any 

 on the dunghill. 



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 nor rest with- 

 out them, and showed 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, 

 F 3 



