• DUCK. 221 



I do not learn that the former species has ever been domesticated, 

 but the latter is very common in every gentleman's grounds, where 

 water forms a part, being kept as an ornament; generally begin to 

 lay the first egg in February, and continue to do so every other day, 

 to about seven or eight ; these are placed on a bed of grass near the 

 water, and the female commonly sits six weeks; the eggs are white. 

 The young ones, called Cygnets, were formerly much esteemed, and 

 at this day are fattened about Christmas, at Norwich ; they formerly 

 were thought worth a guinea each,* now much more, as the mere 

 fattening costs from ten shillings to a guinea : it takes two months 

 to fit them for the table, and in this time each will consume two 

 coombs of oats; added to this, the birds are sometimes sulky, and will 

 not eat, unless a companion be allowed : only one or two persons 

 undertake the business, and the birds by this treatment will weigh 

 twenty-four pounds. The taste of the flesh in this state is compared 

 to that of a pigeon .f They are seen on the River Thames in vast 

 plenty, and are esteemed as Royal property, it being accounted 

 felony J to steal the eggs; by this means the increase is secured, and 

 they prove a delightful ornament to the whole length of that river, 

 from the part where the traflic of the metropolis ceases, quite to its 

 source : and so tenacious were our ancestors in respect to this, that in 

 the reign of Edw. IV. " no one that possessed a freehold of less than 



* The price of a Swan in the reign of King Edward III. was set at four shillings; for 

 according to a proclamation in that reign, no poulterer shall sell one of the best Swans for 

 more than four shillings — best Porcelle for eight-pence— best Ewe for six-pence — best 

 Capon for six-pence — best Hen four-pence — Pullet two-pence half-penny — Powcyn two- 

 pence — best Conynge or Peel for four-pence— Teel two-pence — River Mallard five-pence — 

 best Mallard of the Fyns three-pence — Snipe one-penny — four Allowes one-penny — Wood- 

 cock three-pence — Partridge five-pence — Plover three-pence — Pheasant one shilling and 

 four-pence — Curbs ten-pence — thirteen Thrushes six-pence — twelve Eggs one-penny — 

 twelve small Birds one-penny.— Strut. View. V. iii. p. 113. 



f In season from November to March.— Archceol. xiii. p. 



% If lawfully marked, Edw. IV. taking the eggs, or spoiling them in the uest, three 

 months imprisonment, or twenty shillings, for every egg to the poor. — 1 Jac. See other 

 Statutes in Burn's Justice, Vol. ii. 



