122 PROPAGATION OF WILD BIRDS 



but even here the keeper had to keep breaking the ice to free 

 the ducks. At the end of the last spell they were nearly ex- 

 hausted. Wild ducks, starving, came in and died on the 

 pond. Finally an epidemic of pneumonia broke out, and a 

 large number died, predisposed to disease by exhaustion and 

 weakness. 



On the seacoast, and in latitudes where the climate is mod- 

 erate, it is well enough to keep the fowl out on the water all 

 winter, as they remain hardy and in good condition to breed. 

 Where the climate is very severe, even though the ducks 

 come through the winter, their vitality is sometimes so ex- 

 hausted that it seems to give a setback to breeding. 



Learning from Experience. This winter, 1914-5, at Nor- 

 folk a different plan is being tried. A sheltered paddock has 

 been constructed, just inshore from where the ducks have 

 their swimming-hole. A grove backs it to the north and 

 west, and in addition a high fence of cornstalk thatch has 

 been made. Close up under this fence, facing south, are low 

 thatched shelters, with litter on the ground. Now and then 

 the fowl are fed under these shelters, and food is left there for 

 them. They have learned now to use these of their own ac- 

 cord in severe weather. The keeper closes the gate at night, 

 especially to keep out foxes, and, when the weather moder- 

 ates, breaks the ice for them. Already the temperature has 

 been 24 below zero, but not a duck appears to have suffered. 



On the estate of E. C. Converse at Greenwich, Connecti- 

 cut, the stock of young wild ducks, which stayed out on the 

 pond through the severe winter of 1914, mostly survived, 

 but seemed weakened. This winter E. Aubry, in charge, is 

 treating them like his Pekin ducks. Canvasbacks and all 

 have learned to go of their own accord into a house, and are 

 let out to swim during daytime. They are receiving a 

 stimulating diet, and are looking splendidly. 



