•238 FACT AGAINST FICTION. 



ducks; tliG trap for tlie time unset, and the 

 food for the latter may be dropped Avitliin this 

 wired space, and both ducks and rats, at dif- 

 ferent times, be attracted by it. Anybody ^Y]io 

 understands the safe rearing' of ducks will hare 

 a board to fit the cooj), to shut in the brood 

 with the old bird as soon as it is dusk. Then, 

 when the young ducks are safely shut in, lift up 

 the little square enclosure of wire, and set heneath 

 the water, within the circumference of the wire, 

 the steel rat-trap or gin, and put the wire over 

 it in the usual place, dropping a little more food, 

 that will sink on and around the trap. The 

 water prevents tlie scent of the human hand 

 from animal detection, and use induces the rat 

 to seek boldly on the same spot the same food 

 he has so often revelled in. The trap needs no 

 peg nor other fastening, for it is too large to be 

 pulled through the Avire, and the rat will be found 

 drowned on the following morning when tlie yoiuuj 

 ducks are let out. Care must be taken to make 

 this little square pound for the trap wide enough 

 for its dimensions to keep the snare out of the 

 reach of old ducks, who might be stretching in 

 with the whole lengths of their bills and necks 



