196 



On the Reo.ring and Management of Poultry. 



freedom. I have not tried the correctness of this assertion, 

 and therefore cannot give an opinion : the ducklings of the wild 

 varieties cannot have this operation performed on them, jet I 

 will not sav, in the face of a practice which in this district is 

 universally adopted, that the ducklings are not benefited by it. 



As I have said, the hatching of ducks is most frequently 

 performed by the hen of the fowl. The hen, unconscious of the 

 habits of her young charge, and having such an aversion to even 

 dip her foot in water, must feel all the alarm she displays when 

 first she sees her family plunge into an element so foreign to 

 her nature. How often do we witness the parent in the deepest 

 misery when the young are waddling in the mud in the height of 

 enjoyment. 



The Szvan. — The swan is now seldom to be seen excepting in 

 the parks of the very wealthiest classes, by whom it is kept as an 

 ornament ; we therefore do not feel ourselves justified in classing 

 it with domestic poultry. 



The Pigeon. — Pigeons ought, perhaps, from their being so ex- 

 tensively kept by many agriculturists, to receive a little attention 

 in this paper. I keep pigeons, and have no hesitation in pro- 

 nouncing them unprofitable ; they, however, display so much 

 character that I delight to see them. 



The attention they require is very trifling, as they generally 

 manage to rob as much food as they require from the poultry. 

 When kept in great numbers the damage they do to the sur- 

 rounding fields is immense. I may state that I have on 

 several occasions known them do irreparable mischief to new- 

 sown turnips. When they once get to the seed, their acute 

 vision enables them to peck it with such destructive speed, as 

 they pass along each ''drill" or stitch," that there seldom 

 remains sufficient for a crop. 



In some situations where they are sold for shooting matches, 

 and the sportsmen are not " crack shots," I believe money 

 may be made of them ; for such as escape the deadly aim are 

 almost certain to return to their old quarters, again to be sold, 

 and perchance to return as before. 



The house in which they are kept should have numerous small 

 recesses in the wall, or be fitted up with wood-work to answer 

 the same purpose. The old take care of the young until they 

 are generally able to forage for themselves. 



IIoiv to obtain a good Stock of Poultry. — Flaving treated on 

 the various kinds of fowls in a manner which will, I hope, be 

 of service in determining the variety best adapted to the district 

 in which it has to be kept, 1 deem it my duty;; in order to pre- 

 vent disappointment, to add, that it is of the greatest importance 

 to be in possession of such information as will enable the pur- 



