Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1853-10-12
"Can we Tame Moro of tbem,,,

"Can we Tame More of them!',
This was question asked some years since,
by DR.. Holmes, editor Of the Maine Farmer, in
reference to the praciicablily of DEMONSTRATING
more of The wild species of fowls Whether ali
domestlcated animals, including poultry, were
originally reclaimed from a wild state, is ques-
ton which we do not intend now TO discuss We
know that valuable additions have been made 10
our poultry yards within comparatively recent
period, and the addition of other species, is GER
taInly worthy Of the attempt. The turkey, now
disseminated over large portion of the civilized
world, existed only in wild state on the conti-
nent Of America, previous To the settlement by
Europeans. The changes which demonstration
has wrought upon the bird during the period of
300 years, under various climates, are interesting
but not remarkable, compared with other animals
which have been subjected to similar circum-
stances for the same length of time The most
striking deviation from The normal type has been
III the color, which from the uniform bronze OF
the wild bird, has broken into shades almost as
various as those of the dunghill fowl. The size,
where the domestic bird has had access to album
dance of food of the proper kind, has been kept
near TO the original standard; but in other cases
| it has more or less diminished
The wild turkey is still numerous in the new
and unsettled pr!s of the country ,and specimens
are frequently obtained by which the blood is in
fused into the common stock of the poultry yard
and the result is generally an advantage in refer
ence to hardness and quality of flesh
| Another American bird, whose demonstration
Is nearly contemporary with that of The turkey, is
the Canadian goose (.Aaser cGnadeaSiS) 1t is
not only well known in America, but is not an
uncommon inhabltant of the poultry yard in va
rous parts of Europe When crossed with the
! domestic varieties, it produces a sterile hybrid
which is much valued for the ease with which il
Is attened, as well for the superior quality Of lis
flesh
The parent of the common tame goose in this
country, Is believed to be the grey lag (.daser
palustris) of Europe There is, however. a
reasonable doubt whether all the domestic varie-
ties originated from this source
The common duck appears TO have been de-
rived from the wild maard (dmdS boScha). 1t
Is not an uncommon thing, although the color of
the domestic duck is variable, TO find specimens
which can scarcely be distinguished from the wild
Stock and various experiments have proved that
they readily interbreed, producing fertile off
spring.
The wild black duck (anas obscura) is fire.
quently domestcated. We have often seen il in
company with the common duck in this vicinity
10 some neighborhoods along the sea coast it is
common for The doinesticated black duck 10 breed
with the tame varieties, and there is no longer
any question that the offspring produced are
prolific In some instances the drake of the wild
species has bred with the Muscovy (or musk)
duck but it being supposed that the hyhrds were
mules, as in the case Of the offspring Of the COM
mon duck and Muscovy, the young were killed
for the table when few months cd.
Col. Jaqucs, of the Ten Hills Farm, near this
cry, In thetal of 1851, produced several species
OF wild ducks, which, after the amputation of one
wing at the outer joint, were let loose in his pou
try ward. Among thpO t,po r.
the wood or summer duck (.anas sponSa) and
several pair of black ducks. Finding all their
wants readily supplied in their location, they
soon becume contented, and would come nm
regularly to be fed, at the sound of whistle =
During the first year, they evinced no disposition
to breed, but early last spring they mated, and in
May commenced laying freely. To suit the wood |
duck, which IN its natural state makes its nest in
hollow trees, Col J. had boxes made, with suit
able opening Tor the passage of the BIRDS placed
them among small evergreen trees, and covered
them considerably with turf The black ducks
preferred to make their nests in situations less
covered, but partially secreted by shrubbery.-
Unfortunately, while incubation was going on
with several Of the BIRDS, a second desiI uctiye in
road was made by dogs on the inmates of the
poultry yard, and the nests so disturbed that only
one brood, that of wood duck, was brought ont.
But enough has been shown TO prove that there
Is no obstruction TO the breeding of these birds in
a domestic state. They laid abundantly, and
were, IN all respects, as well conIented as any
domestic fowls.
1t proper to mention, however, that Col Us
yard affords sufficient space comprising an acre
or more-wilh both fresh and salt water in album.
dance at all times, the latter ahording plenty of
amusement to the ducks in catching mnnuws and
searching for other food. The pinioned birds
were not only satisfied with this place of abode,
but wild ducks Of various species were in the
habit of visiting here during the winter and spring.
and many of them became so tame that they
would go with the others and pick up grain thrown
from the hand Several of these wild ones which
came OF their own accord, fingered till late in the
season, but they would occasionally fly ont.
lhey were exposed, from the tameness they had
here acquired, to be shot by sportsmen, and in
this way they gradually destroyed
one drake of the black species, which early al .
lached himself TO duck, that had been pinloned
ana mas remained her constant and faithful com
panlon and protector, seldom quitting The yard,
however strongly tempted by congregations Of his
species in a state of liberty.
There are many other interesting points which
may be settled by properly experimenting with
-hese wild ducks. One is to ascertain what will
be tho result OF crosses with the common kind,
and with how many wild species The latter will
''SNNs "i'" "Hut onos ollsptlUS VIII De pr0llnc,
and what ones sterile. Anoiheris is, what species,
distinct in wild state, will breed together in
domestic state, and what will be the character of
heir prOgeny-il fertile, 20 note their tendencies
rom generation We hope those who have il in
heir power TO pursue these Interesting inveslga-
ions, will give the public the benefit of such LIGHT
IS may be elected Boston CultiUalor.
The SPRINoFIELD MURDER,-EGJah Blake,
coroner, held an inquest Saturday, upon the