166 BOMBAY DUCKS 



young bird differs greatly in appearance from either of 

 its parents, and has thus to pass through a transitory, 

 a hobbledehoy stage, before it assumes the adult plu- 

 mage. Most birds live through this period hidden away 

 in the nest, but the poor fowl has to do so in public. 

 Hobbledehoys are always awkward, ugly creatures, and 

 the pullet forms no exception ; a more ungainly bird it 

 would be difficult to find. 



