SHOOTING THE DUCK 



ponds. Let them be moved early in the morning. 

 An eye should be kept on them for a day or two in 

 case they may show themselves inclined to stray from 

 the water. The coops can then be removed. Corn 

 must now be gradually substituted for meal. I ad- 

 vocate the use of wheat in preference to other corn. 

 Feed the birds twice a day till they are strong on the 

 wing. After this one meal a day is sufficient. How- 

 ever abundant spent grain may be in the neighbouring 

 fields, the daily feed at the ponds should never be 

 discontinued. Feed late in the afternoon. 



At times of hard frost an additional morning meal, 

 placed on the ground before dawn, should be given. 

 During such periods the attendant will be, or ought 

 to be, abroad in advance of daylight for the purpose 

 of clearing ice from the part of the water he is keep- 

 ing open for his birds. Unless the duck are few in 

 number they will by their movements prevent the 

 piece of water from freezing during the day. If, 

 however, on account of the birds being few in 

 number, or on account of the frost being very severe, 

 the water should become coated during the day, the 

 ice must again be broken and raked off after dark. 



A great deal of all this and of what is to follow 

 may be looked upon as beside the mark by men who 

 deal with a large head of duck, who keep them very 



