DOMESTIC AND WILD DUCKS. 



221 



They neither of them regain their more brilliant dress until the end 

 of autumn. 



There are numerous instances proving that Wild Ducks are sus- 

 ceptible of attachment to man ; and it is certain that they can be 

 easily tamed. They also breed readily with the domestic Duck ; and 

 the crossed birds thus produced are said to have a superior flavour, 

 and fatten with facility. Mr. St. John, in his " Wild Sports in the 

 Highlands," remarks that he has frequently caught and brought home 



Fig. 84. — Open Duck-shooting. 



young Wild Ducks. " If confined in a yard with tame birds for a week 

 or two, they strike up a companionship which keeps them from wan- 

 dering when set at liberty. Some years ago I brought home three, two 

 of which turned out to be drakes. I sent away my tame ducks, and the 

 next season I had a large family of half-bred and wholly Wild Ducks, 

 as the tame and wild bred together quite freely. The Wild Ducks 

 which have been caught turned out the tamest of all, throwing off 

 all shyness, they follow their feeder, and will eat corn out of the hand 

 of any one they know ; while the half-bred birds are inclined to take 

 wing and fly away for the purpose of making their nests at a distance." 



