DISEASES OF WILD DUCKS 129 



the insects might be more plentiful than they were in 

 the barnyard, but the sun was very hot there, and one 

 after another the young ducks began to stagger about, 

 and within a few days they all died. I have no doubt 

 that I could have saved these birds by rearing them in 

 the shade. 



The Rev. Adrian Woodruffe-Peacock, F. Z. S., in an 

 article in The Shooting Times and British Sportsman, 

 says : 



"Wild ducks suffer from diseases like other birds. 

 Enteric troubles follow on dirty or stale feeding, espe- 

 cially on overcrowded ground or waters. Ophthalmia is 

 a constant source of loss, where foul heads are allowed 

 from dirty feeding ways, or pans, or ground. Proper 

 muddy water, with sand and grit, as suggested in this 

 article, will practically rid ducks of this trouble. Lice, 

 too, may trouble them, but mercurial ointment or insect 

 powder will soon destroy these pests. Sunstroke, or 

 'splanders,' is very common with young ducks in bright 

 summer weather, but shade and muddy water will keep 

 them in health, or soon put them right, if they are pro- 

 vided beforehand, or at once upon the appearance of this 

 trouble. A disease of the lungs and liver, new to science, 

 which is very deadly, and common alike to grown ducks 

 and fowls, I have met with, but as yet am not in a posi- 

 tion to give advice about it." 



The records from the English preserves indicate that 

 the diseases referred to seldom make their appearance 

 and sustain Mr. Shaw's statement that wild ducks are 

 easily reared. 



Last season (1910) many wild ducks died in Utah 

 (where, I believe, no artificial rearing has been under- 



