Black-bellied Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis)

. . . JEMIMA PUDDLE-DUCK

came every afternoon; she

laid nine eggs in the nest.

They were greeny white and

very large. The foxy gentleman

admired them immensely.

He used to turn them over

and count them when Jemima

was not there.

At last Jemima told him

that she intended to begin to

sit next day -- "and I will bring

a bag of corn with me, so that

I need never leave my nest

until the eggs are hatched.

They might catch cold," said

the conscientious Jemima.

"MADAM, I beg you not

to trouble yourself with

a bag; I will provide oats.

But before you commence your

tedious sitting, I intend to give

you a treat. Let us have a

dinner-party all to ourselves!

"May I ask you to bring up

some herbs from the farm

-garden to make a savoury

omelette? Sage and thyme,

and mint and two onions, and

some parsley. I will provide

lard for the stuff-lard for the

omelette," said the hospitable

gentleman with sandy whiskers.

JEMIMA PUDDLE-DUCK

was a simpleton: not even

the mention of sage and onions

made her suspicious. . .

Beatrix Potter

The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck