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Some time ago Mr Coupar farmer at Kirkton Mill Abernyte near Rossie Priory was obliged to destroy his ducks in consequence of complaints that they had destroyed the corn on a neighbouring farm. The only animal spared was a lame duck, with one leg, which was along to remain on the farm and which took its self off to the dam of the sawmill at East Newton. For a about a month the poor animal remained in this solitary condition, but in the beginning of August last an apparently full grown wild drake was seen on the dam along with the crippled animal. At first he was very shy and when frightened would fly off and not return for some days but eventually became more familiarised with the the place and allows a Mr Coupar's family to come within a yard or two of him and is so tame as to spend all his time with the crippled duck.
so distinctly are his features marked that one of Lord Kinnaird's gamekeepers had his fowling piece raised to shoot him and only was prevented by observing that the animal did not attempt to fly off.
He has not yet taken shelter on any part of the farm but it is supposes that as the colder winters sets in he will adopt still tamer habits.