t23 | NATURAL HISTORY. 
greateft. abundance on our boldeft rocky fhores, where 
they find a retreat for their yottng, in the cavities 
with which, thofe rocks abound. Like all birds of 
the rapacious kind, the gull lays but few eggs. It 
builds its neft, of long grafsand fea weeds, on the 
edges of rocks. The fief of this {pecies of birds is 
lack and ftringy, and generally of a fithy tafte ; but 
that of the gull is fomething better. Of thefe, the 
poor inhabitants make their fcanty and wretched 
meals. Strangers. to almoft every other food, falted 
gull proves to them the greateft dainty. Thus we 
Perceive that neceflity can even create a comfort, by 
giving a relifh to the coarfett diet. : 
| eS MERCH 04— 
TAME DUCK, 
Tus is the moft eafily reared of all our domeftic 
birds, the very inftin¢ct of the young leading them di- 
tre&tly to their favourite element ; nay, even when 
hatched by a hen, which fometimes happens, they 
feek the water, Contrary to every admonition of the 
fofterparent. 
Of the tame duck, there are no lefs than ten differ- | 
‘ent varieties ; but Briffon reckons upwards of twenty 


tween the {pecies is, ft 
forts of the wild duck. nae ane diftinétion be- — 
‘ies of tame duck take their origin from the mallard. 
Ducks require very little charge in keeping, living ~ 
chiefly on loft corn, {nails, &c. for which reafon they ~ 
“are very ufeful in gardens. “When they fit, they re- 
‘quire no attendance, except fprinkling a little barley, 
or refufe corn near them, which will prevent their” 
fraying. 
ne tame duck has black, ~ 
‘and the wild duck, yellow feet. The common fpe- © 

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