402 USEFUL BIRDS. 



Attracting Water-fowl. 



The water-fowl have been hunted until they have become so 

 wild that attracting them seems at first sight an utterly hope- 

 less task. Nevertheless, it can be accomplished if only a place 

 can be found where they may rest and feed unmolested. Wild 

 Ducks soon learn where they are safe. Along the water front 

 at Titusville, Fla. , no shooting is allowed, but out on the river 

 gunning is not prohibited. About the wharves and along 

 the beach at the hotel wild Scaup Ducks swim, dive, and 

 dress their plumage as unconcernedly as if there were not a 

 man in sight. They sometimes come ashore and walk about 

 on the grass near the hotel. They swim at ease among the 

 small craft at the wharves, and act nuich like domesticated 

 Ducks ; but when the same birds get out on the river beyond 

 the dead line, they can hardly be approached within gunshot 

 by a fast-sailing boat. Wild-fowl, if undisturbed, will settle 

 in the most unlikely places. A pair of Wood Ducks came 

 regularly to a small })Ool in the grove not far from our house, 

 until disturbed by workmen passing by. Those who have 

 large estates containing ponds, where Ducks can be protected, 

 may attract them by scattering grain in the water and on the 

 shores. This has been successfully tried. A few "gray call 

 Ducks" will prove an additional attraction. If the pond or 

 stream has wooded shores, an attempt should l)e made to 

 induce the Wood Ducks to breed. This may be done by put- 

 ting up nesting boxes. One reason for the present scarcity 

 of Wood Ducks in this portion of New England is, that sum- 

 mer camps are now established on many of the ponds where 

 these birds formerly bred. Another reason is, that there are 

 few hollow trees in which they can breed. People having 

 suitably located woodlands should put up nesting boxes made 

 in imitation of hollow logs, for the Wood Ducks. A box for 

 these birds should be at least two feet long. It may be 

 placed either perpendicularly or at an acute angle, and fastened 

 not far from the ground on a tree near the water. It should 

 have an opening at least four inches in diameter. Everything 

 possible should be done to })revent the extermination of this 

 beautiful bird, and to secure an increase in its numbers. 



