in a few young ducks with my chicks. The houses are as free 

 from lice as a parlor, with no more attention from me, and the 

 chicks are the best I ever raised, none naked or droopy. Before 

 having ducks, I lost many by hawks. Now, I keep all in a 

 covered run until the first ducks get their voices, then I let them 

 all go, and hawks are seen no more." ^i 



Manifestly, this is intended to show that the noise of the 

 ducks keeps the hawks off. Some may put this with the stories 

 of the Indian Runners being so very quiet, and wonder whether 

 "two and two make four," as of old! They do, even as of old. 

 The ducks are very quiet, unless there is reason to make a noise, 

 in which case, they can "raise the roof." For this, I am often 

 devoutly thankful, as is many another living in or near town 

 and factory conditions. If the ducks go to bed hungry look out 

 for your slumber! You won't be allowed to take it. And if 

 there is danger, shown by noise and commotion generally, take 

 your cue and find out why — and, do it quickly ! 



One letter, from an inquirer not at all familiar with the 

 Indian Runner, asks, "Are they hardy?" The descriptive adjec- 

 tive "hardy," usually appears in any recital of the virtues of these 

 ducks, but no one has enlarged upon it, to my knowledge. When 

 people ask such a question as this, I immediately wonder what 

 they mean by "hardy." Able to endure shameful neglect? Able 

 to withstand snow? Cutting winds? Dampness? Extreme 

 cold? What is "extreme"? We have the light winters of the 

 south, and the 40-degrees-below-zero of the northwest. Which 

 of these is the fair test? Or is it a point in between? I can 

 testify to the limit of six below zero. I have seen Indian 

 Runners, just maturing, running in the open, in December's 

 bitter days, with not a bit of shelter but some small coops, which 

 they ignored. The yards were strongly wind-swept, and the 

 birds were out all night as well as all day. They sat on their 

 feet, and hid their heads in their ruffs, when it was coldest, and 



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