DUCKS 205 



many shootings would be increased by fifty per cent, or 

 more as a result of the introduction of this fine sporting 

 bird. Supplies of wild-ducks' eggs can now readily be 

 obtained from several of the modern game-farms, their 

 price being about half that of pheasants' eggs. In pro- 

 curing these eggs due care should be exercised in order 

 to secure only those from purely wild stock, as sport will 

 assuredly deteriorate if half-wild breeds are reared. The 

 wild ducklings are extremely hardy, and, as remarked, 

 are comparatively easy to rear. Under natural con- 

 ditions, the wild-duck is nesting in the south of England 

 in March ; further north, in cold and elevated situations, 

 egg-laying is deferred for a fortnight or more. In a 

 state of nature the Mallard is more or less monogamous, 

 but he develops into a polygamist where the sexes are 

 unevenly balanced. The nests are usually placed on the 

 ground, but instances are recorded of ducks nesting in 

 pollard trees at an elevation of 20 ft. or more. The 

 number of eggs runs from eight to ten ; consider- 

 ably more have been found in one nest, but, as in the 

 case of the partridge, where this occurs it is generally 

 considered that two birds have contributed to swell the 

 total. Wild-ducks invariably line their nests with down 

 plucked from their breasts. Such warm protection, 

 however, does not always prevent injury from freezing 

 when the too frequently recurrent March and April frosts 

 are experienced. Members of the crow tribe hooded, 

 carrion and rook are yearly responsible for the loss of 

 hundreds of wild-ducks, these birds ravenously devouring 

 both eggs and ducklings. Pike and large eels also take 

 the latter, and these fish should be strenuously kept down 

 where wild-ducks are reared. 



The common wild-duck goes to nest earlier than any 



