A DUCK NAVIGATOR.
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."] SIR,—As an example of overcoming disadvantageous environ- ment, the following is, I think, worth recording. The round pond in Kensington Gardens is now frequented by numerous ducks and their recently hatched ducklings, which have been reared in the tall trees near, for the keepers have observed the old ones nesting there during the season; but how the young birds are transported from the nest to the water is, I believe, an unsolved problem, as it always occurs during the night, when no one is about. On Saturday last I saw another rather comic example of this instinct. A duck with eight or nine ducklings boarded one of the toy cutters sailing on the pond, to rest her brood in safety from the dogs and people on terra-firma. She stood at ease on one leg at the stern, and, kept her family all huddled up in the middle, apparently fast asleep, while three consecutive:voyages were made to and fro-.
N. STEVENSON.
51 Wimpole Street, Cavendish Square, W., May 14th.
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