220 FACT agaiNkSt fiction. 



escape of the yoimg brood. A disli of water at 

 the bars of the coop, and food within reach of it 

 for the old as well as the young birds, is then 

 all that is required. The old wild duck, as pre- 

 viously explained, who has never been in a coop, 

 will not do, but the old bird, who was herself 

 reared from it, she never loses her interest in 

 her brood, nor her remembrance of her artificial 

 rearing; and her young ones, not feeding from 

 the bill, as the young of the landrail and moor- 

 hen do, will, the very day of their confinement, 

 learn to feed themselves; very small seeds of any 

 kind, buck- wheat, &c., grits, and little pieces of 

 worm and finely-chojDped white of boiled egg, 

 should be put in their dish of loater. They 

 soon will recognize their feeding place, and 

 when the food is mingled witli very small bits 

 of thickly-kneaded meal, then the young birds 

 will begin to thrive. Barley or maize should 

 also be placed in the water for the old duck, 

 who will be sure to drink, for ducks are '' thirsty 

 souls," and will discover that tliere is a dinner 

 too for her. 



In less than a week the crate may be removed, 

 for by that time, if cautioudjj approached, and 



