Dabbling with Ducks

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23085, 9 July 1938, Page 8 (Supplement)

Dabbling with Ducks

DEAR BOYS AND GIRLS,— WHAT really strange weather we have been having. One minute the sky is a deep turquoise blue with the sun shining brilliantly, the next it is raining "cats and dogs," and we have to go splashing along in puddles of muddy water. This seems to be the kind of weather appreciated only' by ducks, and they do love it, too. ...» it. It is so amusing to watch them waddling along to a P° ol that ' ca " inviting only to ducks, and in they go one at a time, their wings flapping noisily and the water flung up in drenching spray. All the time they are gossiping among themselves in low husky whispers. , ,• _ • After a few minutes out they come again into the sunshine ( ,J the ® any!) and what a flapping and a preening begins. Feathers fly in all directions and little heads seem to twist and turn like so many cork-screws. Then BUt f<j Dillylah, the wickedest and most lovable of them all, spies a tin of gran 1 y hand, and with loud quacks of delight she crane, her shapely neck and pleads with her little brown head on one side. , . . . L Of course I take pity on the poor starved (?) bird and in less t'methan it takes to tell I have ducks walking over my feet and hands, mud spattered on my face and clothes and hard, dirty bills poking at me from all directions. The tin is knocked out of my grasp and ten of the naughtiest, dirtiest ducks are joyously gobbling up the contents. _ They are cunning birds, certainly, * ( but, oh, so fascinating that I could spend (Jl IA if hours telling you of their exploits, but J I * we must say "good-bye" to the duck-yard L 4 F] k £ I now and hurry back to our work. « j Love and happiness to you all, boys j and girls, from - {sx-— —.»o<rr>o i c^>Os—.»()•