HATCHING CONFINEMENT. 107 



need not be attached ; nevertheless, the eggs may 

 be appropriated to each, with respect to colour ; since 

 white and light-coloured ducks produce similar- 

 coloured eggs, and the brown and dark-coloured 

 ducks those of the greenish blue and largest size. At 

 any rate, it is most safe that the eggs be all of one 

 colour, since I hiive known some few instances of 

 the duck turning out with her bill those eggs which 

 were not of her natural colour. The duck swimming 

 with her tail flat and level with the water, indicates 

 her egg being ready for protrusion. 



In 1823, a duck, the property of Mr. John 

 Morrel, of Belper Dally, laid an egg every day for 

 eighty-five successive days, 



During INCUBATION, the duck requires a secret 

 and safe place, rather than any attendance, and will, 

 at nature's call, cover her eggs and seek her food, 

 and the refreshment of the waters. On HATCHING, 

 there is not often a necessity for taking away any 

 of the brood, barring accidents ; and having hatched, 

 let the duck retain her young upon the nest her own 

 time. On her moving with her brood, prepare a 

 coop, upon the short grass, if the weather be fine, 

 or under shelter if otherwise : a wide and flat dish 

 of water, often to be renewed, standing at hand ; 

 barley, or any meal, the first food. In rainy wea- 

 ther, particularly, it is useful to clip the tails of the 

 ducklings, and the surrounding down beneath, since 

 they are else apt to draggle and weaken themselves. 

 The duck should be cooped at a distance from any 

 other. 



The period of her CONFINEMENT to the coop de- 

 F 6 



