A boy and his duck
In Boston, one duckling made its way inside
Alex Q. Arbuckle
1941
Sometime in 1941, Leslie Jones, a photographer for the Boston Herald-Traveler, paid a visit to Beacon Hill. There lived a boy and his pet duck. The name of the young man and his fowl friend are unknown, as is the reason why a cord and loop was fashioned to allow the duck to open the kitchen oven.The duck had free reign of the house, warming himself under the wood stove and admiring himself in mirrors.These photos were taken the same year as the publication of Robert McCloskey’s classic children’s book Make Way for Ducklings, the story of a family of mallards who march through Boston traffic on their way home in the Public Garden.It’s possible that this duck is named after one of the titular stars of the popular book. Jack, Kack, Lack, Mack, Nack, Ouack, Pack or Quack are all respectable names for a feathered companion.
