l6o NATURAL HISTORY. 
of this fpecies of birds is black and ftringy, 
and generally of a filhy tafte ; but that of 
the gull is fomething better. Of thele, the 
poor inhabitants make their fcanty and wretch- 
ed meals. Strangers to almoft every other 
food, faked gull proves to them the greateft 
dainty. Thus we perceive that necelTity can 
even create a comfort, by giving a reliflt to 
the coarfefl diet. 
The TAME DUCK. 
T HIS is the moft eafily reared of all our 
domeftifi^rds, the very inftindt of the young 
leading tlrem direftly to their favourite ele- 
ment ; nay, even when hatched by a hen, 
which fometimes happens, they feek the wa- 
ter, contrary to every admonition of the fof- 
ter-parent. 
Of the tame duck, there are no lefs than 
ten different varieties ; but Briffon reckons 
upwards of twenty forts of the wild duck. 
The principal diftinftion between the fpecies 
is, that the tame duck has black, and the 
wild duck, yellow feet. 'Fhe common fpe^ 
cies of tame duck take their origin from the 
mallard. 
Ducks require very little charge in keeping, 
living chiefly on loft corn, fnails, &c. for 
which reafon they are very ufeful in gardens. 
When they fit, they require no attendance, 
except 
