86 THE DUCK. 



Tame ducks lay a great number of eggs every year, produce 

 many young, and are easily and expeditiously fatted for the table. 



As a subject for reflection, perhaps, few are of more extraor- 

 dinary importance than the history of these tribes of the feather- 

 ed race which have been presented to view. One of our prin- 

 cipal luxuries, — a luxury, indeed, which may reasonably be 

 reckoned a conveniency, and which refinement and habit has 

 rendered an absolute necessary of life, — is derived from the 

 duck and the goose. The beds on which we so comfortably 

 repose are filled with their feathers, and if these were wanting 

 it would be difficult to find any thing that could be conveniently 

 substituted in their place. The quill of the goose is also an 

 article of inestimable value, to the use of which we are in a 

 great measure indebted for those literary and scientific composi- 

 tions, from which the mind derives improvement ; and indeed, 

 without this important instrument, business would be carried on 

 with great difficulty. 



Feathers, in several countries, constitute an article of com- 

 merce. The down of the swan is imported from Dantzic, and 

 the eider-down from Ireland and Norway ; but the goose fur- 

 nishes the chief part of the feathers made use of for bedding, as 

 well as of the quills used for writing. From these various con- 

 siderations, we cannot but rank the goose among those creatures 

 which are most useful to mankind. 



Having finished our sketch of the feathered tribes, it is with 

 some regret that we lose sight of so charming a part of the crea- 

 tion. These beautiful inhabitants of the air, indeed, possess all 

 those qualities that can amuse the fancy and exhilarate the mind : 

 and many of them contribute to our benefit as much as to our 

 pleasure. Some charm us with their melody, while others fas- 

 cinate by their beauty. The variety of their notes, the elegance 

 of their forms, and the brilliancy of their colours, all concur to 

 exhibit a magnificent display of Nature's plastic energy, and 

 irresistibly draw us to the contemplation of Him who is the es- 

 sential source of all beauty, splendour, and harmony. 



