190 
THE DUCK. 
hatched young ones are sold to those who bring 
them up; and these try, in the following manner, 
whether they are hatched too soon or not. They 
take up the little Ducks by the bill, and let their 
bodies hang down ; if they sprawl and extend their 
feet and wings, they are hatched in due time ; but 
if they have had too much heat, they hang without 
struggling. The latter often live till they are put to 
the water, which is generally eight days after they 
are hatched, — this turns them giddy ; they get 
cramped, throw themselves on their backs, and die 
in convulsions. They are carefully fed with boiled 
rice, mixed up with herbs and little fish, chopped 
small. When they are older, they are removed into 
a larger floating-pen, called a sanrpane, which has a 
broad bottom of bamboo, with a gallery round, above 
the river, and a bridge declining towards the water. 
An old and experienced step-mother is provided to 
lead them down, and attend them when feeding : 
these old birds are so well trained, that at the given 
signal in the evening, they return in the utmost haste 
with their young broods. This signal is a whistle, on 
the sound of which the whole flock sets itself in 
motion, waddling in regular order towards their 
boat. The first Duck that enters is rewarded with 
some favourite food; the last is whipped as an idler: 
so that it is a comical sight to see the last birds, as if 
knowing what will happen to the last of all, making 
efforts to fly over the backs of others, and get on board 
the boat in time to escape punishment. 
We should be surprised to see our domestic Ducks 
perch amongst the branches of trees, adjacent to 
their roosting-places, and there pass the night ; but 
