Uncle Dick and Lisa's Old Time Animal Tales

It is well known that a considerable portion of the inhabitants of China dwell in floating houses, with large and convenient cabins, where men, women and children may be seen in abundance, having no other home, and gaining a slender livelihood by some occupation that does not require a residence on terra firma. In the neighborhood of Canton, many of the owners of these movable dwellings employ themselves in rearing ducks, and the sagacity which these animals exhibit is remarkable.
Every morning they are allowed to leave their habitation, and indulge in their aquatic amusements; and sometimes five or six hundred of these noisy creatures are seen sporting on the waters near one of these floating duck pens. They never stray from their homes, and the sound of a little tinkling bell, seem to produce upon them a magical effect. The moment the first sound of the bell is heard, the ducks hasten towards their home with astonishing swiftness, and the commotion thus instantaneously produced in their ranks is amusing enough, each one his companions in the race, and such a scene shoving, swimming, flying and gabbling, is seldom seen among ducks in any other part of the world but in China.
The prompt obedience on the part of these stupid water fowls, is the result of education, and the means used, although exceedingly efficient, is very simple. The last duck which reaches the boat is invariably seized by the duck-master general, and is compelled to undergo a severe drubbing with the bamboo cane, and fear of this punishment which they are exceedingly desirous to avoid, insures the most perfect order and obedience among these animals, which have been considered among the most stupid of the feathered creation.
The mode of managing ducks is somewhat similar to that just and humane expedient resorted to on board some of the English ships of war, and for aught we know, American also, to induce men to hasten on deck with all possible dispatch, when all hands are called to quarters; or for any other purpose. A boatswain’s mate is stationed at the hatchway, and those who happen, thro’ negligence, indolence, or accident, to be at the fag end, sure to get a severe “starting.”