THE DUCK 



253 



for him to row. For the same reason the oar-like legs of the duck 

 are set rather behind the middle of its body. 



Further, it is remarkable that although the duck spends so 



Duck and Ducklings 



much of its time in the water, it never seems to get wet. This is 

 due to the fact that a kind of oil oozes through a great number 



Foot and Head of Duck 



of very tiny holes in the skin, and spreads all over the feathers. 

 This oil prevents the water from really touching the feathers, and 

 keeps the bird perfectly dry. 



