IHE DUCK. 



to the bant, now dry as when they first landed. One body 

 alone was found, and he, like the dnck-shooter, had resorted to 

 the same lost and forlorn hope. He had firmly fixed a boat- 

 hook on the highest ridge of sand, and, having liished himself 

 to it with his handkerchief, had determined there to await the 

 rising of the last tide he was ever destined to behold. The 

 bodies of his companions were never seen again, and had 

 probably found a resting-place in the deep channels of the 

 surrounding sea." 



In the poultiy-yard, the duck is no mean tenant ; and is 

 fond of asserting its supremacy. Many are the skirmishes 

 that take place for a supply of food betwixt it and the fowls, 

 and even Oalhis domesUevts — stately and terrible as he is — is 

 no inatch for the impudence and cunning of this homely species 

 of the genus Anas. The Bev. J. Gr. Wood, in his own clear 

 way, thus vividly portrays a battle of the ducks and fowls 

 as witnessed by him : — 



" In a farm-yard with which I was once intimatdy con- 

 nected, there were several ducks who were shut up at night in 

 a very spacious coop, but who were not at all satisfied with 

 the provender given to them, but yearned for some of that 

 given to the fowls. So impatient were they of their imprison- 

 ment that directly they saw any of their acquaintances in the 

 farm-yard, they used to set up a most clamorous quacking, 

 in hopes of being released. There were several grand battles 

 between the ducks and the master-cook of the yard, which 

 invariably terminated in the victory of the ducks. The mode 

 of combat was as follows : — The poxdtry would be pecking up 

 the grain thrown to them, when in woxdd rush a duck, scoop- 

 ing up with its broad beak more at one sweep than the fowl 

 would take in a dozen pecks. This behaviour naturally in- 

 censes the cock, who accordingly flies at the duck and pecks 

 it. The duck crouches down and makes no resistance, but 

 contrives to get behind the cock, and to give him a very hard 

 (jeck, at the same time turning round and looking innocent. 

 Bound jumps the cock, intent upon vengeance, but seeing 

 nothing to account for the blow that he has just received, he 

 puts it down to the charge of a stray stone, or such other mis- 

 fortune, and returns to his meal. No sooner has uis attention 

 been fixed upon his food, when he receives another hard peck, 

 jumps round, and sees the duck looking innocent as before. 

 This time, however, he suspects something, and, while he pecks 

 at the barley, keeps a look out from the comer of his eye. 



