132 DISEASES OF WILD DUCKS 



each bird taxing severely the skill of the shooters. Such 

 vast bags explain the absurdly low price for which a cou- 

 ple of the finest birds may be bought by anyone who cares 

 for a change from beef and mutton."* 



I have seen thousands of young wild ducks herded 

 closely on small rearing grounds and waters. The birds 

 were in excellent condition throughout the summer, and 

 all were strong on the wing in October and flew high 

 enough and fast enough to test the skill of the best shots. 

 It has been suggested that the fact that they may be kept 

 without harm in close quarters is due to their spending 

 much time on the water. The soil is not fouled to the 

 extent it would be by land birds. 



*Ducks have been quoted in English market reports as low as 2 shil- 

 lings per brace. Captain Gates says that ducks in fine condition should 

 sell for 2 shillings each if sold at the right time. "Wild Ducks," p. 57. 

 In an English market report for 1907 the game birds are quoted as fol- 

 lows : Pheasants, 4s 6d to 5s brace; partridge (young), 3s brace; part- 

 ridge (old), Is 6d brace; hares (English), 2s to 2s 6d each; leverets, Is 6d 

 to Is 8d each; wild duck, Is 3d to Is 6d each; pin-tail, Is to Is 2d each; 

 widgeon, lOd to Is each; teal, 8d to lOd each; woodcock, Is 6d to Is 9d 

 each; snipe, 6d to 9d each. Supplies fair, but meeting a moderate demand. 



