204 THE GUN: AFIELD AND AFLOAT 



the wild-duck would remain to breed had it but the 

 necessary inducement. In the case of this bird the term 

 necessary inducement may be taken to mean perfect 

 quiet at pairing-time. Too often, the few pairs of wild- 

 ducks found visiting some inland pond or mere during 

 February are looked upon as prizes by the local gunner. 



MALLARD RISING. 



At such time, being remarkably easy to kill, the birds 

 usually fall victims, and thus for ever is destroyed the 

 chance of their populating the vicinity with others of 

 their kind. Increased attention has recently been given 

 by owners and lessees of shooting to the breeding and 

 preservation of wild-ducks. The hand-rearing of wild- 

 ducks is a much less difficult matter than the rearing of 

 pheasants, and were it to become general, the value of 



