PRESERVING AND LURING THE DUCK 95 



also to have brushwood and bramble upon them. 

 On the north side of the pond there should be a 

 gently shelving bank, gravelled if possible, but other- 

 wise given a hard surface, whereon the duck may sun 

 themselves and where they are to be fed. Adjoining 

 this feeding-ground let there be a thick crescent- 

 shaped dead-hedge, so built that the attendant may 

 approach without being seen by any bird on the 

 water, and from the shelter of which, by casting the 

 grain over it in handfuls, he is able to feed his 

 duck without alarming, or without seriously alarming, 

 strange birds which may have found their way to 

 the pond. Forming an outer circle there should be 

 planted well-grown evergreens I consider oval- 

 leaved privet the best for the purpose while, beyond 

 the evergreens, there should be yet another circle, 

 thickly planted, of willow, if the soil be suitable, or of 

 hazel if it be porous. A very few years' growth will 

 make a pond arranged in this manner a perfect home 

 for duck. If there are rabbits in the locality they 

 should be wired out 



And now a few words as to rearing and manage- 

 ment. 



As with the eggs of the tame duck so with those 

 of the mallard kept in a domesticated state ; a con- 

 siderable proportion of the early layings are unfertile. 



