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. 
