A visit to a farm house; or, An introduction to various subjects connected with rural economy. / Seventh edition, revised and corrected.

by active 1801-1820? S. W.

Arthur. How very small some of them are! I should have thought that they were too young to be able to swim.

Grandmamma. Oh, they take to the water as soon as they leave the egg-shell. They are web-footed, and that enables them to swim.

Charles. What is being web-footed, ma’am?

Grandmamma. Having a skin to fill up all the space between the toes. When they swim, they paddle, or strike with their broad feet against the water; which gives them motion onwards.

Arthur. I suppose, grandmamma, you keep poultry for the sake of eating them!

Grandmamma. You are right. But do you know what is done with the feathers?

Charles. No.

Arthur. I do, ma’am. Beds and pillows are stuffed with them.