. Reptiles and birds. A popular account of the various orders; with a description of the habits and economy of the most interesting. . ll his proceedings he waswatched by the mother, who kept passing and re-passing in front ofhim, as if to distract his attention. When the ducklings were allsafe in the game-bag, in which they struggled and cried out, themother came with a sad and troubled air, and placed herself close tothe naturalist, as if unable to suppress her despair. Audubon, seeingher intense grief, was filled with pity, and restored her little familybefore leaving the spot. When I turne
. Reptiles and birds. A popular account of the various orders; with a description of the habits and economy of the most interesting. . ll his proceedings he waswatched by the mother, who kept passing and re-passing in front ofhim, as if to distract his attention. When the ducklings were allsafe in the game-bag, in which they struggled and cried out, themother came with a sad and troubled air, and placed herself close tothe naturalist, as if unable to suppress her despair. Audubon, seeingher intense grief, was filled with pity, and restored her little familybefore leaving the spot. When I turned round to watch her, addshe, I really fancied I could detect an expression of gratitude inher eyes ; and I experienced at that moment one of the most vividsensations of pleasure I have ever enjoyed. Whilst the mother is devoting herself to the education of herbrood, the father pays but little attention to his progeny. Jaded andthin, he lives a solitary and quiescent life, more sad and wild thanever. He has, in fact, to submit to a most sudden course of female also loses her plumage after the young ones are DOMESTIC AND WILD DUCKS. 221 They neither of them regain their more briUiant dress until the endof autumn. There are numerous instances proving that Wild Ducks are sus-ceptible of attachment to man; and it is certain that they can beeasily tamed. They also breed readily with the domestic Duck ; andthe crossed birds thus produced are said to have a superior flavour,and fatten with faciUty. Mr. St. John, in his Wild Sports in theHighlands, remarks that he has frequently caught and brought home
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1870, booksubjectbirds, booksubjectrep
